Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
  • B25B5/00—Clamps
  • B25B5/06—Arrangements for positively actuating jaws
  • B25B5/061—Arrangements for positively actuating jaws with fluid drive
  • B25B5/064—Arrangements for positively actuating jaws with fluid drive with clamping means pivoting around an axis perpendicular to the pressing direction
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
  • B25B5/00—Clamps
  • B25B5/003—Combinations of clamps

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a clamp apparatus for clamping workpieces on an automated assembly line or the like .
• a pair of left and right clamp arms are provided, the clamp arms being disposed for rotation
• proximal ends of the clamp arms are supported pivotally via a base to which a drive unit is connected, whereby distal ends of the clamp arms are operated to open and close .
• a workpiece such as a frame or the like is gripped from the left and right by the distal ends of the pair of clamp arms.
• clamp apparatus which is installed on an automated assembly line as described above, in general, workpieces of the same shape are clamped by the clamp arms , and with respect to other workpieces of a different shape that are transported on the automated assembly line, a different type of clamp apparatus is prepared, and clamping is performed therewith.
• installation costs are provided by providing multiple types of clamp apparatus corresponding to the shapes of the workpieces.
• a general object of the present invention is to provide a clamp apparatus, which is capable of reliably and stably clamping plural types of workpieces having different shapes.
• the present invention is characterized by a clamp apparatus in which, by rotation of clamp arms, workpieces are clamped between gripping members of the clamp arms, comprising:
• a drive unit disposed on the body and having
• a driving force transmission mechanism having pressing members that press ends of the clamp arms, and which is connected to the drive unit and transmits to the clamp arms through the pressing members a driving force along an axial direction of the drive unit, thereby causing rotation of the clamp arms ,
• the clamp apparatus at least two pairs of clamp arms are provided, which are supported rotatably with respect to the body, the clamp arms being arranged face-to-face with each other, and wherein distances between the gripping members of the clamp arms when the workpieces are clamped differ in each of the pairs.
• a plurality of the drive units are provided, which are supported rotatably with respect to the body, the clamp arms being arranged face-to-face with each other, and wherein distances between the gripping members of the clamp arms when the workpieces are clamped differ in each of the pairs.
• driving force is transmitted selectively to any one of the at least two pairs of clamp arms, whereby the clamp arms of one pair are rotated and the workpiece is clamped by the gripping members .
• FIG. 1 is an external perspective view with partial omission of a clamp apparatus according to a first
• FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a condition in which first clamp arms and a first cylinder are removed from the clamp apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is an overall cross sectional view showing an undamped state of the clamp apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the clamp apparatus of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 5A is a cross sectional view taken along line VA-
• FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view taken along line VB- VB of FIG. 4;
• FIG. 6 is an overall cross sectional view showing a clamped state of a first workpiece by first clamp arms, in the clamp apparatus of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 7 is an overall cross sectional view showing a clamped state of a second workpiece by second clamp arms , in the clamp apparatus of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 8 is a front view with partial omission of a clamp apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view, developed to show the first clamp arms and the second clamp arms in a mutually separated condition, in the clamp apparatus of FIG. 8;
• FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an assist mechanism installed on the second clamp arms shown in FIG. 9;
• FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along line XI-
• FIG. 12 is a front view, shown partially in cross section, of a clamped state of a second workpiece by second clamp arms, in the clamp apparatus of FIG. 8;
• FIG. 13 is a front view, shown partially in cross section, of an intermediate condition in which the clamped state is released and an unclampxng operation is performed using an assist mechanism, in the clamp apparatus of FIG. 12;
• FIG. 14 is a front view, shown partially in cross section, of an undamped state, in the clamp apparatus of FIG. 12;
• FIG. 15 is a front view of a clamp apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken along line XVI-
• FIG. 17 is a front view showing a condition in which a clamped state is manually released through operation of a manual release mechanism, in the clamp apparatus of FIG. 15.
• a clamp apparatus 10 includes a body 12, first and second clamp arms 14, 16 supported rotatably with respect to the body 12, drive units 18 fixed to the body 12, and driving force transmission mechanisms 20 that transmit driving forces of the drive units 18 respectively to the first and second clamp arms 14, 16.
• the body 12 for example, is made up from a base 22, which is formed in a planar shape and is arranged in a horizontal direction, a pair of first and second plate bodies 24, 26 connected respectively to both side surfaces of the base 22, and which are separated mutually by a predetermined distance, and an intermediate plate body 28 disposed between the first plate body 24 and the second plate body 26 (see FIG. 2).
• the first and second plate bodies 24, 26 and the intermediate plate body 28 are formed at predetermined heights in an upward direction (the direction of the arrow A) perpendicular to the base 22.
• the intermediate plate body 28 is lower than the first and second plate bodies 24, 26, and is disposed at a center position between the first plate body 24 and the second plate body 26 (see FIG. 2).
• the base 22 for example, is mounted on a floor surface, such that the clamp apparatus 10 is fixed in a given location by fixing the base 22 to the floor surface through non- illustrated bolts or the like.
• a ceiling portion 30 is connected to upper end parts of the first and second plate bodies 24, 26.
• the ceiling portion 30 is arranged perpendicularly with respect to a direction of extension (the direction of arrows A and B) of the first and second plate bodies 24, 26, and is disposed on the body 12 substantially centrally in the widthwise direction (the direction of the arrow C) thereof. Stated otherwise, the ceiling portion 30 is disposed substantially in parallel with the base 22.
• stoppers 32 are provided, respectively, on side surfaces thereof that face the later- described first and second clamp arms 14, 16, and which abut against positioning members 34 that are disposed on the first and second clamp arms 14, 16.
• the workpiece is placed on an upper surface of the ceiling portion 30 when the workpiece (refer to Wl in FIG. 3) is gripped by the clamp apparatus 10.
• first and second cylinders 36, 38 that
• the drive units 18 are connected to a lower surface of the ceiling portion 30.
• the first and second cylinders 36, 38 are disposed to extend in a vertical downward direction (in the direction of the arrow B)
• the first cylinder 36 is arranged on the side of the first plate body 24 (in the direction of the arrow Dl), and the second cylinder 38 is arranged
• first pipes 40a, 40b which are connected to a non-illustrated pressure fluid supply source, are connected respectively to the ceiling portion 30 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).
• ends of the first pipes 40a, 40b communicate respectively with first and second passages 42, 44 that are formed in the interior of the ceiling portion 30.
• the first passage 42 extends in a straight line toward a side of the second plate body 26 (in the direction of the arrow D2) from one side surface of the ceiling portion 30 facing the first plate body 24.
• the first pipe 40a is connected to the distal end of the first passage 42, and a communication hole 46, which opens in a substantially central portion along the longitudinal direction,
• the second passage 44 extends in a straight line toward a side of the first plate body 24 (in the direction of the arrow Dl) from the other side surface of the ceiling portion 30 facing the second plate body 26.
• the first pipe 40b is connected to the distal end of the second passage 44, and a communication hole 46, which opens in a substantially central portion along the longitudinal direction,
• a pressure fluid which is supplied to the first pipes 40a, 40b, is supplied through the first and second passages 42, 44 and the communication holes 46 to sides on one side of the first and second cylinders 36, 38 (in the direction of the arrow A).
• the first clamp arms 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example, are made up from a pair of substantially
• first arm portions 48 which are arranged symmetrically in the widthwise direction (the direction of the arrow C) with respect to the center of the body 12 about an axis of the later-described drive unit 18.
• the pair of first arm portions 48 are disposed substantially in parallel proximate the side of the first plate body 24 (in the direction of the arrow Dl) between the first plate body 24 and the second plate body 26 (see FIG. 4).
• a pair of arm pins 50 are inserted, respectively, substantially in the center along the
• first and second plate bodies 24, 26, Opposite ends of the arm pins 50 are axially supported on the first and second plate bodies 24, 26, whereby the first arm portions 48 are rotatably supported, respectively, with respect to the body 12. Further, the arm pins 50 are inserted respectively through a pair of first springs 52, one ends of which are engaged respectively with an upper portion of the intermediate plate body 28, and other ends of which are engaged respectively with the first clamp arms 14.
• the first springs 52 press the other end sides of the first clamp arms 14 in widthwise outside directions (the directions of the arrows CI) of the body 12, whereby the first gripping members 54 are biased to rotate about the arm pins 50 in directions (the directions of the arrows El in FIG. 3) to separate away from each other and to bring about an undamped state .
• first cam members 56 are installed on mutually facing side surfaces in one end portions (ends), which are arranged on the side of the base 22 (in the direction of the arrow B) of the first arm portions 48.
• the first cam members 56 are formed in block-like shapes, and are installed in recesses formed on side
• Cam surfaces on the ends of the first arm portions 48 are provided on the first cam members 56, which are inclined at predetermined angles, so that the first cam members 56 gradually widen toward the one end side (in the direction of the arrow B) of the first arm portions 48.
• one of the first cam members 56 and the other of the first cam members 56 are arranged substantially symmetrically, sandwiching the drive unit 18 (first cylinder 36) therebetween, so that the respective cam surfaces 58 confront one another mutually (see FIG. 3) .
• first gripping members 54 for clamping the first workpiece Wl are formed on the other ends of the first arm portions 48.
• the first gripping members 54 have gripping surfaces, which face each other, are
• substantially rectangular in cross section and are formed with vertical surfaces that lie substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the first arm portions 48.
• the second clamp arms 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example, are made up from a pair of substantially symmetrical second arm portions 60, which are arranged symmetrically in the widthwise direction (the direction of the arrow C) with respect to the center of the body 12.
• the pair of second arm portions 60 are disposed substantially in parallel proximate the side of the second plate body 26 (in the direction of the arrow D2 in FIG. 4) between the first plate body 24 and the second plate body 26.
• the second clamp arms 16 are disposed substantially in parallel, and are separated a predetermined distance from the first clamp arms 14.
• the pair of arm pins 50 are inserted, respectively, substantially in the center along the longitudinal direction of the second arm portions 60, at positions on the other end sides (in the direction of the arrow A) thereof. Opposite ends of the arm pins 50 are axially supported on the first and second plate bodies 24, 26, whereby the second arm portions 60 are rotatably supported, respectively, with respect to the body 12. Further, the arm pins 50 are inserted respectively through a pair of second springs 62, one ends of which are engaged respectively with an upper portion of the intermediate plate body 28, and other ends of which are engaged respectively with the second clamp arms 16. For this reason, by the spring force of the second springs 62, the second clamp arms 16 are biased to rotate in directions (the directions of the arrows El) about the arm pins 50, so that the second gripping members 68 separate mutually away from each other.
• the second springs 62 press the other end sides of the second clamp arms 16 in widthwise outside directions (the directions of the arrows CI) of the body 12, whereby the second gripping members 68 are biased to rotate about the arm pins 50 in directions (the directions of the arrows El in FIG. 3) to separate away from each other and to bring about an undamped state.
• the arm pins 50 which are the same as those of the first arm portions 48, are inserted respectively through the second arm portions 60, and the second arm portions 60 are arranged in parallel with the first arm portions 48, and are separated by a predetermined distance therefrom along the axial direction of the arm pins 50.
• the second arm portions 60 that make up the second clamp arms 16 are formed in substantially the same shape as the first arm portions 48 that make up the first clamp arms 14.
• a pair of second cam members 64 are installed on mutually facing side surfaces in one end portions (ends), which are arranged on the side of the base 22 (in the direction of the arrow B) of the second arm portions 60.
• the second cam members 64 are formed in block-like shapes having the same shape as the first cam members 56, and are installed in recesses formed on side surfaces on the ends of the second arm portions 60.
• Cam surfaces 66 are provided on the second cam members 64, which are inclined at predetermined angles, so that the second cam members 64 gradually widen toward the one end side (in the direction of the arrow B) of the second arm portions 60.
• Cam surfaces 66 are provided on the second cam members 64, which are inclined at predetermined angles, so that the second cam members 64 gradually widen toward the one end side (in the direction of the arrow B) of the second arm portions 60.
• the first cam members 56 installed on the first clamp arms 14 may be different in shape from the second cam members 64 installed on the second clamp arms 16.
• the second gripping members 68 for clamping the second workpiece W2 which differs in the width dimension from the first workpiece Wl (see FIG. 7), are formed on the other ends of the second arm portions 60.
• the second gripping members 68 have gripping surfaces, which face to each other, are substantially rectangular in cross section, and are formed with vertical surfaces that lie substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the second clamp arms 16.
• attachments 70 which have a predetermined thickness and are formed in plate- like shapes from a metal material, for example, are fixed by bolts 72 to the second gripping members 68.
• the attachments 70 for example, have flat surfaces, which lie substantially in parallel with the gripping surfaces, and are capable of gripping the second workpiece W2 by the flat surfaces thereof. Further, the attachments 70 are detachable by rotating the bolts 72 to thereby release the fixed state of the attachments 70.
• positioning members 34 are provided, which project perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the first arm portions 48 and the second arm portions 60, respectively, downwardly of the first and second gripping members 54, 68.
• the positioning members 34 abut respectively against the stoppers 32 that are provided on the ceiling portion 30. Accordingly, the width dimensions LI, L2 are regulated at a time of clamping when the first and second workpieces Wl , W2 are clamped by the first arm portions 48 and the second arm portions 60.
• the drive units 18 are arranged between the first plate body 24 and the second plate body 26, and include the first and second cylinders 36, 38, which are connected with respect to a lower surface of the ceiling portion 30.
• the first and second cylinders 36, 38 extend in a vertical downward direction (in the direction of the arrow B) toward the base 22.
• cylinders 36, 38 are of the same structure, each of which includes, respectively, a tubular cylinder tube 74, a piston 76 disposed displaceably in the interior of the cylinder tube 74, a piston rod 78 connected to the piston 76, and a rod cover 80 disposed in an opening of the cylinder tube 74 and that displaceably supports the piston rod 78.
• the rod covers 80 which are disposed on the other end sides of the first and second cylinders 36, 38, are oriented downwardly (in the direction of the arrow B) .
• the cylinder tubes 74 are fixed by non-illustrated bolts with respect to the ceiling portion 30 in an erect manner, and are oriented in a vertical downward direction (the direction of the arrow B).
• the cylinder tubes 74 include cylinder holes 82 in the interior thereof that extend along an axial direction (the direction of arrows A and B ) .
• cylinder holes 82 thereof communicate respectively with the first pipes 40a. 40b through the first and second passages 42, 44 that are formed in the ceiling portion 30.
• a pressure fluid is supplied respectively to the cylinder holes 82 through the first pipes 40a, 40b.
• the pistons 76 are formed in disk-like shapes, for example, and outer circumferential surfaces thereof slide along the inner circumferential surfaces of the cylinder holes 82.
• the piston rods 78 are connected integrally to centers of the pistons 76, and the piston rods 78 extend a predetermined length toward the other end side (in the direction of the arrow B) of the cylinder tubes 74 with respect to the pistons 76.
• the piston rods 78 are inserted through rod holes of the rod covers 80, which are installed so as to close the other end sides (in the direction of the arrow B) of the cylinder tubes 74, such that the piston rods 78 are
• Second pipes 86a, 86b which are
• pistons 76 and the piston rods 78 are lowered by supplying pressure fluid from the first pipes 40a, 40b respectively to the cylinder holes 82 of the first and second cylinders 36, 38 through the first and second passages 42, 44 on the ceiling 30.
• pistons 76 and the piston rods 78 are raised by supplying pressure fluid to the fluid ports 84 through the second pipes 86a, 86b.
• first pipes 40a, 40b and the second pipes 86a, 86b which are connected respectively to the non- illustrated pressure fluid supply source, are connected to the first and second cylinders 36, 38, whereby the pressure fluid is supplied selectively to either the one end side (in the direction of the arrow A) or the other end side (in the direction of the arrow B) of the cylinder tubes 74 under a switching action of a non-illustrated switching device .
• the driving force transmission mechanisms 20 include block bodies 88a, 88b, which are connected respectively to the other ends of the piston rods 78 of the first and second cylinders 36, 38, pairs of rollers (pressing members) 90, which are supported pivotally in the vicinity of opposite ends of the block bodies 88a, 88b, and pairs of roller pins 92 that pivotally support the rollers 90, respectively.
• the block body 88a which is connected to the first cylinder 36, is arranged in facing relation to ends of the first clamp arms 14, whereas the block body 88b, which is connected to the second
• the block bodies 88a, 88b for example, extend in a direction (the direction of arrow C) perpendicular to the axial direction (the direction of arrows A and B) of the piston rods 78, and in center portions thereof, shafts (not shown) are formed that are connected to the piston rods 78. Ends of the shafts are engaged with grooves in the block bodies 88a, 88b, so that the block bodies 88a, 88b are connected perpendicularly with respect to the axial
• a pair of vertically extending guide grooves 94 are formed respectively on opposite side surfaces of the block bodies 88a, 88b facing toward the intermediate plate body 28 and the first and second plate bodies 24, 26.
• Guide rails 96 which are installed on the intermediate plate body 28 and the first and second plate bodies 24, 26, are inserted respectively into the recessed guide grooves 94, which have rectangular shapes in cross section (see FIGS. 1 through 3). Consequently, when
• the block bodies 88a, 88b are guided in the vertical direction (the direction of arrows A and B) by the guide rails 96.
• block bodies 88a, 88b have
• Pairs of roller pins 92 are supported on the opposite ends, and pairs of rollers 90 are supported rotatably via the roller pins 92.
• the rollers 90 are disposed on the block bodies 88a, 88b at positions face-to-face with the first and second clamp arms 14, 16, and project toward the one end sides (in the direction of the arrow B) of the first and second arm portions 48, 60, coming into abutment respectively against the first cam members 56 and the second cam members 64.
• the rollers 90 are rotated in a state of abutment against the cam surfaces 58, 66 of the first and second cam members 56, 64, and via the cam surfaces 58, 66, the ends of the first and second clamp arms 14, 16 are pressed by predetermined pressing forces in directions (the directions of the arrows CI) to separate mutually away from one another.
• first and second arm portions 48, 60 are rotated in directions such that the first and second gripping members 54, 68 approach one another mutually (in the directions of the arrows E2 in FIG. 3) in opposition to the spring forces of the first and second springs 52, 62 that bias the one end sides thereof inwardly in the
• the clamp apparatus 10 according to the first
• first and second clamp arms 14, 16 are not pressed outwardly (in the
• the first workpiece Wl is made up, for example, from a first frame Wla, which is U-shaped in cross section and constitutes part of the frame of a vehicle, and a second frame Wlb, which is U-shaped in cross section and is
• the first frame Wla is mounted on the ceiling portion 30, in a state in which the first frame Wla is inserted into the interior of the second frame Wlb.
• the second frame Wlb is arranged on the outside of the first frame Wla, and the side walls of the second frame Wlb are inclined in an outwardly expanding manner toward sides of the first clamp arms 14 (in the directions of the arrows CI in FIG. 3).
• the piston 76 and the piston rod 78 are lowered along the axial direction (in the direction of the arrow B) from the above-described initial position.
• the fluid port 84 of the first cylinder 36 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is in a state of being open to atmosphere, and pressure fluid is not supplied to the second cylinder 38.
• rollers 90 being lowered along the cam surfaces 58, the one ends of the first clamp arms 14 are pressed through the first cam members 56 and separate mutually away from each other (in the directions of the arrows CI ) .
• the first clamp arms 14 In opposition to the spring force of the first springs 52, which is imparted to the other ends of the first clamp arms 14, the first clamp arms 14 begin to rotate about the arm pins 50 in directions (the directions of the arrows E2) such that the first gripping members 54 approach one another, whereupon the pressing force applied to the cam surfaces 58 from the rollers 90 becomes substantially constant. Therefore, the first arm portions 48 of the first clamp arms 14 are rotated at a substantially constant rotational force, and the second frame Wlb starts to be clamped by the first gripping members 54.
• the one ends of the first clamp arms 14 are pressed with a greater force in directions (the directions of the arrows CI) to separate away from each other, accompanied by the first gripping members 54 of the first clamp arms 14 being rotated about the arm pins 50 at a greater force in directions to further approach one another mutually.
• the first gripping members 54 press the side walls of the second frame Wlb in directions such that the side walls approach one another, i.e., are pressed and deformed toward the sides of the first frame Wla (in the directions of the arrows E2).
• the positioning members 34 provided on the first clamp arms 14 come into abutment respectively against the stoppers 32, whereupon the side walls of the second frame Wlb, which are pressed by the first clamp arms 14, abut against the side walls of the first frame Wla, and a clamped state is brought about in which clamping of the first workpiece Wl is completed with the side walls thereof being substantially parallel.
• the side walls of the first and second frames Wla, Wlb are welded together, for example, using a non-illustrated welding device .
• first workpiece Wl Since the attachments 70 are mounted on the second gripping members 68 of the second clamp arms 16, a workpiece (second workpiece W2), which is narrower with respect to the first clamp arms 14 by a width portion corresponding to the widths of the attachments 70, can be clamped.
• second workpiece W2 which is narrower with respect to the first clamp arms 14 by a width portion corresponding to the widths of the attachments 70.
• the piston 76 and the piston rod 78 are lowered along the axial direction (in the direction of the arrow B) from the above-described initial position.
• the fluid port 84 of the second cylinder 38 is in a state of being open to atmosphere, and pressure fluid is not supplied to the first cylinder 36.
• rollers 90 being lowered along the cam surfaces 66, the one ends of the second clamp arms 16 are pressed through the second cam members 64 and separate mutually away from each other (in the directions of the arrows CI ) .
• the rollers 90 are shifted to the cam surfaces 66, and via the second cam members 64, the one ends of the second clamp arms 16 are pressed by a greater force in directions (the directions of the arrows CI) to separate mutually away from each other.
• the second gripping members 68 of the second clamp arms 16 are rotated at a greater force about the arm pins 50 in directions to approach one another.
• the second gripping members 68 press the side walls of the second frame W2b in directions such that the side walls approach one another, i.e., are pressed and deformed toward the sides of the first frame W2a (in the directions of the arrows E2).
• the positioning members 34 provided on the second clamp arms 16 come into abutment respectively against the stoppers 32, whereupon the side walls of the second frame 2b, which are pressed by the second clamp arms 16, abut against the side walls of the first frame W2a, and a clamped state is brought about in which clamping of the second workpiece W2 is completed with the side walls thereof being substantially parallel.
• the side walls of the first and second frames W2a, W2b are welded together, for example, using a non-illustrated welding device.
• the second cam members 64 are pressed by the pair of rollers 90, and the one ends of the second clamp arms 16 are pressed at a substantially constant force in directions (the directions of the arrows CI) to separate mutually away from each other.
• the second arm portions 60 of the second clamp arms 16 are rotated about the arm pins 50, and the second workpiece W2, which is of a different width dimension than the first workpiece Wl , can be clamped with a predetermined clamping force via the attachments 70 that are installed on the second gripping members 68.
• first and second cylinders 36, 38 are provided in the drive units 18, which are capable of driving the first and second clamp arms 14, 16 independently and respectively.
• the rollers 90 on the block bodies 88a, 88b to be brought into abutment against the first and second cam members 56, 64 provided on the first and second clamp arms 14, 16, thereby pressing the first and second cam members 56, 64 in widthwise outside directions (the directions of the arrows CI)
• either one of the first and second clamp arms 14, 16 can be rotated, and workpieces (Wl, W2) having desired width dimensions (LI, L2) can be clamped.
• attachments 70 which are mounted on the second gripping members 68 of the second clamp arms 16, are disposed detachably through the bolts 72. Therefore, for example, corresponding to the width dimension of the second workpieces W2 that are clamped by the second clamp arms 16, other attachments that differ in shape or width can easily be exchanged to facilitate handling of such workpieces.
• attachments 70 which differ in width or shape from the attachments 70 installed on the second clamp arms 16, may also be installed on the first gripping members 54 of the first clamp arms 14. Accordingly, workpieces of different dimensions can be clamped selectively by the first clamp arms 14 and the second clamp arms 16, on which attachments 70 having different shapes are installed, respectively.
• attachments 70 workpieces of various different shapes can easily be handled, and clamping can be carried out with respect to such workpieces .
• the first and second gripping members 54, 68 may be formed with different width dimensions, respectively, to enable first and second workpieces Wl , W2 of different width dimensions to be clamped directly by the first and second gripping members 54, 68.
• workpieces (Wl, W2) that differ in shape can be clamped by two pairs of first and second clamp arms 14, 16.
• the number of clamp arms is not particularly limited.
• three types of workpieces that differ in shape may be clamped using a configuration in which three pairs of clamp arms are provided, which can be rotated respectively and independently.
• FIGS. 8 through 14 a clamp apparatus 100 according to a second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 through 14.
• Constituent elements of the clamp apparatus 100 which are the same as those of the clam apparatus 10 according to the above- described first embodiment , are designated by the same reference characters, and detailed description of such features is omitted.
• the clamp apparatus 100 according to the second
• an assist mechanism 102 is provided for assisting the clamp apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, in that, for example, if for some reason a situation occurs in which the first clamp arms 14 or the second clamp arms 16 become locked in a state of clamping the first workpiece Wl or the second workpiece W2, and the unclamping operation cannot be accomplished by the first and second springs 52, 62 alone, then in addition to the spring forces of the first and second springs 52, 62, an assist mechanism 102 is provided for assisting the first and second springs 52, 62.
• assist mechanisms 102 are provided with respect to each of the first clamp arms 14 ' and the second clamp arms 16, respectively, and are disposed in a connected fashion, respectively, between the one ends of the first and second clamp arms 14, 16 and the block bodies 88a, 88b. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the assist mechanisms 102 are disposed, respectively, on an inner side surface of the first clamp arms 14 in facing relation to the second clamp arms 16, and on an inner side surface of the second clamp arms 16 in facing relation to the first clamp arms 14.
• the assist mechanisms 102 are not limited to being disposed on the clamp apparatus 100 on the inside of the first and second clamp arms 14, 16, and alternatively, may be disposed on side surfaces on outer sides of the first and second clamp arms 14, 16.
• each of the assist mechanisms 102 includes a pair of link plates 104, a pair of link pins 106 disposed on ends of the link plates 104, and a pair of pin grooves 110 formed in brackets 108 that are mounted on the one ends of the first and second clamp arms 14, 16, and in which the link pins 106 are inserted.
• the link plates 104 are formed in platelike shapes having a predetermined length, and are disposed substantially in parallel, respectively, with the first and second clamp arms 14, 16. Additionally, on one end thereof along the lengthwise direction of the link plates 104, the link pins 106 are inserted perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction, whereas ends of the roller pins 92 are inserted through the other end thereof .
• retaining plates 114 are mounted on surfaces of the link plates 104 such that, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, ends of the retaining plates 114 are fitted into
• the one ends of the link plates 104 are supported rotatably, respectively, through the link pins 106 with respect to the one ends of the first and second clamp arms 14, 16, whereas the other ends thereof are supported rotatably on opposite ends of the block bodies 88a, 88b through the roller pins 92.
• the brackets 108 are made up from substantially
• pin grooves 110 are formed (see FIGS. 8 and 12) which extend in a substantially
• the pin grooves 110 extend over predetermined lengths in a substantially horizontal direction.
• link pins 106 which are supported respectively on the other ends of the link plates 104, are inserted into the pin grooves 110, and the other ends of the link plates 104 are supported movably along the pin grooves 110 in directions substantially perpendicular to the
• the attachments 118 include flat plate-shaped base portions 120 mounted on the second gripping members 68, and hook portions 122 formed on upper ends of the base portions 120 that project in a substantially perpendicular direction to the base portions 120. Further, lower surfaces of the hook portions 122 are formed in flat shapes substantially perpendicular with respect to the direction of extension of the second clamp arms 16. Stated otherwise, on the attachments 118, the hook portions 122 are formed in hook- like shapes with respect to the base portion 120.
• the base portions 120 of the attachments 118 grip the side walls of the second frame W2b of the second workpiece W2 , whereas the lower surfaces of the hook portions 122 grip the upper surface of the first frame W2a of the second workpiece W2.
• the assist mechanism 102 is in an inclined condition, in which the other end sides of the link plates 104 are located slightly lower than the one end sides thereof, and the link pins 106 at the one end sides are positioned roughly centrally along the lengthwise direction of the pin grooves 110.
• the other end sides of the link plates 104 of the assist mechanism 102 begin to be rotated while being raised upwardly together with the block body 88b. Consequently, the other end sides of the link plates 104 become positioned upwardly (in the direction of the arrow A) with respect to the one end sides thereof, and the link pins 106 on the one end sides start to move in widthwise inward directions along the pin grooves 110. In this case, the link pins 106 still do not reach the inside ends 110a of the pin grooves 110.
• pressing forces are applied in widthwise inward directions with respect to the one end sides of the second clamp arms 16, and the one end sides can be moved in directions (the directions of the arrows C2) to approach one another.
• pressing forces from the link pins are applied in widthwise inward directions with respect to the one end sides of the second clamp arms 16, and the one end sides can be moved in directions (the directions of the arrows C2) to approach one another.
• the thrust force that causes the unclamping operation to be effected on the second clamp arms 16 is a combined force made up of the spring force of the second springs 62 and the pressing forces of the link plates 104, even in the event that the second clamp arms 16 are stuck in the clamped state, the thrust force, which is greater than the spring force of the second springs 62, is imparted to the second clamp arms 16, thereby overcoming the resistance to unclamping, so that the clamped state can reliably be released.
• the function of the assist mechanism 102 is not implemented in the case that the unclamping operation on the second clamp arms 16 is capable of being performed solely by the spring force of the second springs 62, and the assist mechanism 102 functions in an auxiliary capacity in the case that unclamping cannot be performed only with the second springs 62.
• the link plates 104 of the assist mechanism 102 are disposed rotatably between the one ends of the first and second clamp arms 14, 16 and the rollers 90 that are pivotally supported on the block bodies 88a, 88b. Owing thereto, when the first and second clamp arms 14, 16 are subjected to the unclamping operation, if for some reason the load thereon is large and the unclamping operation is incapable of being performed solely with the spring forces of the first and second springs 52, 62, by rotation of the link plates 104, a pressing force can be imparted in a widthwise inward direction through the link pins 106 to the one end sides of the first and second clamp arms 14, 16.
• the assist mechanism is constituted by a simple structure from the pair of link plates 104, the link pins 106 supported on the ends of the link plates 104, and the brackets 108 having the pin grooves 110 through which the link pins 106 are inserted, the assist mechanism 102 can be installed comparatively easily with respect to an
• FIGS. 15 through 17 a clamp apparatus 150 according to a third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15 through 17. Constituent elements of the clamp apparatus 150, which are the same as those of the clamp apparatus 100 according to the above- described second embodiment , are designated by the same reference characters, and detailed description of such features is omitted.
• the clamp apparatus 150 according to the third
• a manual release mechanism 152 is provided, which enables the clamped state of the first and second workpieces Wl, W2 , which are in a clamped condition by the first and second clamp arms 14, 16, to be forcibly released manually.
• the manual release mechanism 152 includes release levers 154, which are provided, for example, rotatably with respect to the first and second plates 24, 26 of the body 12 on the side of the first clamp arms 14 and on the side of the second clamp arms 16, respectively, holders 156 that retain the release levers 154, and connecting pins 158 connected to the roller pins 92 that make up the driving force transmission mechanism 20, and which are pressed by the release levers 154.
• the connecting pins 158 are not limited to a structure connected separately with respect to the roller pins 92, and may, for example, be formed integrally with the roller pins 92.
• Each of the release levers 154 for example, is
• the release lever 154 comprises a support member 162, which is supported by a fixing bolt 160 on the first or second plate body 24, 26, an operating member 164 operated by an operator, which is substantially perpendicular with respect to the support member 162 on an upper end of the support member 162, and a pressing member 166, which extends with an arcuate shape in cross section from the lower end of the support member 162 and presses the connecting pin 158.
• the pressing member 166 is formed to extend in an opposite direction from the operating member 164 with respect to the support member 162.
• the operating member 164 is arranged to project in a widthwise outside direction (in the direction of the arrow CI) from the first or second plate body 24, 26, whereas the pressing member 166 is formed with an arcuate shape in cross section with a downwardly oriented convex shape (in the direction of the arrow B) .
• the connecting pins 158 project from ends of the roller pins 92 and are disposed coaxially therewith. By insertion of the connecting pins 158, respectively, through pairs of insertion grooves 168 that open in the first and second plate bodies 24, 26, the connecting pins 158 project by a predetermined length on the outside of the first and second plate bodies 24, 26.
• the insertion grooves 168 extend a predetermined length along the vertical direction (the direction of arrows A and B) .
• the holders 156 are formed with a U-shape in cross section, for example, from an elastically deformable plate or the like.
• the holders 156 are connected by bolts 170 (see FIG.
• the support members 162 of the release levers 154 are capable of being inserted into interiors of the holders 156, and are latched therein by latching
• the clamped state of the first workpiece Wl by the first clamp arms 14 is locked and cannot be released.
• the support member 162 abuts against the latching projection 172 of the holder 156, and by elastic deformation, the support member 162 overcomes the latching projection 172 and is moved outside of the holder 156 from the opening thereof. Additionally, by the release lever 154 becoming completely separated outside of the holder 156, the rotational movement -restricted condition is released.
• the operating member 164 is pressed downwardly (in the direction of the arrow B), whereby the pressing member 166 is rotated upwardly (in the direction of the arrow A) about the support member 162, accompanied by the pressing member 166 coming into abutment with the connecting pin 158 and thereafter pressing the connecting pin 158 upwardly, as shown in FIG. 17. Consequently, the roller pins 92 that are connected to the connecting pins 158, the block body 88a, the piston rod 78, and the piston 76 are pressed upwardly in unison.
• rollers 90 are raised along the cam surfaces 58 of the first cam members 56, and by the spring force of the respective first springs 52, an undamped state is brought about in which the first clamp arms 14 are rotated to separate the first gripping members 54 mutually away from each other (see FIG. 17).
• the clamped state of the first workpiece Wl can be released to thereby enable easy removal of the first workpiece Wl .
• the release lever 154 of the manual release mechanism 152 After the clamped state has been released by the release lever 154 of the manual release mechanism 152, by a non-illustrated operator grasping the operating member 164 and pushing it upwardly (in the direction of the arrow A), the release lever 154 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of the arrow F2) about the support member 162.
• the release lever 154 is restored again to the locked condition and cannot be rotated, whereupon the release operation of the clamp apparatus is completed.
• the release levers 154 that constitute the manual release mechanism 152 are disposed rotatably on outer sides of the first and second plate bodies 24, 26 that make up the body 12. Further, even in a condition in which supply of pressure fluid to the drive unit 18 is suspended, and the clamped state of the first workpiece Wl or the second workpiece W2 is locked, by operation of the release levers 154, the connecting pins 158 connected to the roller pins 92 can be pressed upwardly.
• rollers 90 which are in abutment against the first and second cam members 56, 64 and are pressing the first and second clamp arms 14, 16 in widthwise outside directions, can easily and reliably be moved
• the manual release mechanism 152 can be constructed that enables the clamped state to be released manually, manual release at the time of clamping can easily be performed, for example, by selective attachment of the manual release mechanism 152 with respect to the clamp apparatus 150. Furthermore, corresponding to the
• the positions where the release levers 154 are installed can suitably be selected from either one of both ends in the widthwise direction of the body 12, or the release levers 154 may be disposed respectively on both of such ends .
• clamp apparatus is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims .

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• 2014
  • 2014-02-24 JP JP2014033166A patent/JP6036725B2/ja active Active
  • 2014-07-10 BR BR112016000988-6A patent/BR112016000988B1/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2014-07-10 DE DE112014003298.0T patent/DE112014003298T5/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2014-07-10 WO PCT/JP2014/068969 patent/WO2015008807A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2014-07-10 MX MX2016000624A patent/MX376631B/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2014-07-10 CN CN201480040141.4A patent/CN105377509B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2014-07-10 US US14/900,405 patent/US10661412B2/en active Active

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