Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6409482
-
Patent Number
6,409,482
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, September 13, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 25, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Koczo; Michael
- Rodriguez; William
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 417 401
- 417 403
- 417 399
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A double-force type pressure cylinder structure includes a gas cylinder secured on a pressurizing cylinder base, and a top cap secured on the gas cylinder. The pressurizing cylinder base has a liquid inlet port forming a first check valve, a liquid outlet port forming a second check valve, and a pressurizing cylinder chamber for receiving a piston rod. The gas cylinder includes a piston, a spring biased between the piston and an end face of the pressurizing cylinder base so that the piston is pushed upward by the spring. The circuit of the compressed air is controlled by air holes in conjunction with the spring so that the piston and the piston rod are reciprocally moved quickly for compressing the hydraulic oil at a high speed, thereby forming a thrust with a high pressure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pressure cylinder structure, and more particularly to a double-force type pressure cylinder structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional clamping device, such as a vice, is used for clamping a workpiece to be worked by a working machine such as a milling machine. However, the vice is operated manually so that the clamping and holding effect provided by the vice on the workpiece is not sufficient and efficient, thereby greatly affecting the working efficiency of the working machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a double-force type pressure cylinder structure comprising:
a pressurizing cylinder base defining a radial through hole having a first side threadedly provided with a liquid inlet port having a distal end for receiving a first ball, thereby forming a first check valve, and having a second side threadedly provided with a liquid outlet port having a distal end for receiving a second ball, thereby forming a second check valve, the pressure cylinder base having a central portion defining a pressurizing cylinder chamber for receiving a piston rod, the pressurizing cylinder chamber having a top defining a screw hole for receiving a sealing bushing, a support bushing screwed into the screw hole for securing the sealing bushing and for supporting the piston rod which is sealed by the sealing bushing;
a gas cylinder secured on the pressurizing cylinder base and containing a piston therein, the piston having a bottom defining an inner annular hole for receiving a flange disk, the flange disk having a central portion screwed on one end of the piston rod, a spring having a first end secured on the flange disk and a second end secured on an end face of the pressurizing cylinder base so that the piston is pushed upward by the spring, a main air drain hole longitudinally defined in a wall of the gas cylinder and extending into a bottom of the gas cylinder, a direction change air drain hole longitudinally defined in the wall of the gas cylinder and extending into a mediate portion of the gas cylinder; and
a top cap secured on the gas cylinder by bolts and having a central portion defining a through stepped hole, the stepped hole provided with an inner flange, the inner flange having a bottom for receiving a lower piston base and a top for receiving an upper piston base which is screwed by bolts, the upper piston base defining an inner cylinder chamber, the lower piston base having an upper portion defining a concave annular hole for receiving an upper valve plug and a lower valve plug, and having a lower portion for receiving a spline which defines a plurality of radially arranged slots, an O-ring mounted on a distal end of the spline, a direction change piston slidably mounted in the inner cylinder chamber of the upper piston base and having an axle extending into the upper valve plug and abutting an end face of the spline, a threaded post extending through a block ring, through the spline and screwed into the axle of the direction change piston so that the spline is integrally coupled with the direction change piston while the block ring closes the slots of the spline.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an exploded view of a double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a partially perspective cross-sectional assembly view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a cross-sectional assembly view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is an operational view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 5
is an operational view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 3
;
FIG. 6
is an operational view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 4
;
FIG. 7
is an operational view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 5
;
FIG. 8
is an operational view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 7
;
FIG. 9
is an operational view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 8
;
FIG. 10
is an exploded view of a double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11
is a cross-sectional assembly view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 10
;
FIG. 12
is an operational view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 11
;
FIG. 13
is an operational view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in
FIG. 12
; and
FIG. 14
is an operational view of the double-force type pressure cylinder structure as shown in FIG.
13
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings and initially to
FIGS. 1-3
, a double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with the present invention comprises a pressurizing cylinder base
10
, a gas cylinder
20
, and a top cap
30
.
The pressurizing cylinder base
10
defines a radial through hole
11
having a first side threadedly provided with a liquid inlet port
12
having a distal end for receiving a first ball
13
, thereby forming a first check valve, and having a second side threadedly provided with a liquid outlet port
14
having a distal end for receiving a second ball
15
, thereby forming a second check valve. The pressure cylinder base
10
has a central portion defining a pressurizing cylinder chamber
16
for receiving a piston rod
23
. The pressurizing cylinder chamber
16
has a top defining a screw hole
17
for receiving a sealing bushing
18
. A support bushing
19
is screwed into the screw hole
17
for securing the sealing bushing
18
and for supporting the piston rod
23
which is sealed by the sealing bushing
18
.
The gas cylinder
20
is secured on the pressurizing cylinder base
10
and contains a piston
21
therein. The piston
21
has a bottom defining an inner annular hole
211
for receiving a flange disk
22
. The flange disk
22
has a central portion screwed on one end of the piston rod
23
. A spring
24
has a first end secured on the flange disk
22
and a second end secured on an end face of the pressurizing cylinder base
10
so that the piston
21
is pushed upward by the spring
24
. A main air drain hole
25
is longitudinally defined in the wall of the gas cylinder
20
and extends into the bottom of the gas cylinder
20
. A direction change air drain hole
26
is longitudinally defined in the wall of the gas cylinder
20
and extends into a mediate portion of the gas cylinder
20
.
The top cap
30
is secured on the gas cylinder
20
by bolts
31
and has a central portion defining a through stepped hole
32
. The stepped hole
32
is provided with an inner flange
33
having a bottom for receiving a lower piston base
34
and a top for receiving an upper piston base
35
which is screwed by bolts
36
. The upper piston base
35
defines an inner cylinder chamber
351
. The lower piston base
34
has an upper portion defining a concave annular hole
343
for receiving an upper valve plug
37
and a lower valve plug
38
and has a lower portion for receiving a spline
391
which defines a plurality of radially arranged slots
3911
. An O-ring
392
is mounted on a distal end of the spline
391
. A direction change piston
393
is slidably mounted in the inner cylinder chamber
351
of the upper piston base
35
and has an axle extending into the upper valve plug
37
and abutting an end face of the spline
391
. A threaded post
394
extends through a block ring
395
, through the spline
391
and screwed into the axle of the direction change piston
393
so that the spline
391
is integrally coupled with the direction change piston
393
while the block ring
395
closes the slots
3911
of the spline
391
.
The upper piston base
35
defines a first air hole A
1
extending therethrough and has a top threadedly secured with an air inlet port
40
connected to the first air hole Al of the upper piston base
35
. The inner flange
33
defines a second air hole A
2
which has a first side connected to the first air hole A
1
and a second side connected to a first radial hole A
3
defined in the lower piston base
34
. The first radial hole A
3
has a distal end connected to a second radial hole A
4
defined in the upper valve plug
37
. The second radial hole A
4
is connected between the upper valve plug
37
and the lower valve plug
38
. An air vent hole A
5
is defined in the lower valve plug
38
and is connected to an air guide hole A
6
defined in the lower piston base
34
. The air guide hole A
6
is connected to a inside of the gas cylinder
20
.
The top cap
30
defines a first air hole B
1
connected to the main air drain hole
25
of the gas cylinder
20
and connected to an annular groove
341
defined in the lower piston base
34
. A second air hole B
2
is defined in the lower piston base
34
and is connected to the annular groove
341
. An air drain hole B
3
is defined in the upper piston base
35
and is connected to the second air hole B
2
. The lower piston base
34
defines an air supply hole B
4
connected to the annular groove
341
and connected to the slots
3911
of the spline
39
. The upper piston base
35
defines an air hole D connected to the air drain hole B
3
of the upper piston base
35
and connected to the inner cylinder chamber
351
.
The top cap
30
defines a first air hole Cl connected to the direction change air drain hole
25
of the gas cylinder
20
and connected to an annular groove
352
defined in the upper piston base
35
. A second air hole C
2
defined in the upper piston base
35
is connected between the annular groove
352
of the upper piston base
35
and the inner cylinder chamber
351
of the upper piston base
35
.
In operation, referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3
, the compressed air supplied through the air inlet port
40
is introduced through the air holes A
1
and A
2
, the radial air holes A
3
and A
4
, the air vent hole A
5
, and the air guide hole A
6
into the gas cylinder
20
, thereby gradually increasing pressure on the piston
21
so as to push the piston
21
downward as shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
. The air is then introduced through the main air drain hole
25
, the air holes B
1
and B
2
, and is drained to the ambient environment through the air drain hole B
3
so that the piston
21
can be quickly moved downward. At the same time, the piston rod
23
is moved downward to compress the air in the pressurizing cylinder chamber
16
, thereby forcing the hydraulic oil to flow toward the liquid outlet port
14
to be supplied into the oil cylinder of a double-force type vice (not shown).
Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7
, when the piston
21
is moved to a position lower the level of the direction change air drain hole
26
, the compressed air is introduced through the direction change air drain hole
26
, the air holes C
1
and C
2
, and into the inner cylinder chamber
351
of the upper piston base
35
to push the direction change piston
393
downward while the air in the front space of the direction change piston
393
is introduced through the air hole D and the air drain hole B
3
and into the environment. When the direction change piston
393
is moved downward, the O-ring
392
on the spline
391
is moved to press the inner wall of the lower valve plug
38
, thereby blocking the air hole A
5
so that the pressure exerted on the piston
21
is decreased so that the piston
21
is moved upward by the thrust of the spring
24
.
Referring to
FIGS. 8 and 9
, the spline
391
is moved downward when the direction change piston
393
is moved downward so that the slots
3911
are connected to the gas cylinder
20
. When the piston
21
is moved upward, the air is introduced through the slots
3911
, the air supply hole B
4
, the air hole B
2
, and into the environment through the air drain hole B
3
so that the piston
21
can be moved upward quickly. The piston rod
23
is moved upward with the piston
21
, thereby generating a vacuum suction on the pressurizing cylinder chamber
16
whereby the ball
15
is drawn to block the liquid outlet port
14
while the ball
13
is drawn to open the liquid inlet port
12
so that the hydraulic oil can be filled into the pressurizing cylinder chamber
16
. The piston
21
is then moved to press the block ring
395
to block the slots
3911
while the direction change piston
393
is moved upward. As shown in
FIG. 3
, the O-ring
392
on the spline
391
is moved upward to detach from the inner wall of the lower valve plug
38
, thereby opening the air hole A
5
so that the air can be introduced through the air inlet port
40
into the gas cylinder
20
to move the piston
21
downward, thereby simultaneously moving the piston rod
23
to compress the air contained in the pressurizing cylinder chamber
16
. The above-mentioned steps can be repeated again and again.
Referring to
FIGS. 10 and 11
, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the top cap
30
and the upper piston base
35
are integrally coupled with each other to form a top cover
60
which defines an air hole A
10
connected to the first radial hole A
3
of the lower piston base
34
so that the air can be introduced into the gas cylinder
20
fluently.
The direction change piston
393
defines a through stepped hole
3931
for receiving an extension rod
3912
of the spline
391
therein. A buffer spring
54
is mounted on the extension rod
3912
of the spline
391
and positioned in the bottom of the stepped hole
3931
of the direction change piston
393
. An O-ring
51
is mounted on the extension rod
3912
. A washer
52
is mounted in the top of the stepped hole
3931
of the direction change piston
393
. A screw
53
extends through the washer
52
and is screwed into the top end of the extension rod
3912
of the spline
391
so that a buffer space is defined between the direction change piston
393
and the spline
391
whereby the spline
391
is not moved with the piston
21
simultaneously. The extension rod
3912
of the spline
391
has a bottom provided with a catch flange
3914
abutting the buffer spring
54
. The catch flange
3914
has a bottom defining an annular groove
3915
for securing an O-ring
392
therein.
Referring to
FIG. 11
, when the piston
21
is moved to a position lower the level of the direction change air drain hole
26
, the compressed air is introduced into the inner cylinder chamber
351
of the upper piston base
35
to push the direction change piston
393
downward.
As shown in
FIG. 12
, when the direction change piston
393
is moved downward, the buffer spring
54
is compressed while the block ring
395
is pushed by the compressed air to maintain the spline
391
at a stationary state.
As shown in
FIG. 13
, when the buffer spring
54
is compressed to its limit, the force on the direction change piston
393
plus the elastic force of the buffer spring
54
is greater than the thrust on the block ring
395
.
As shown in
FIG. 14
, the O-ring
392
on the spline
391
is moved to press the inner wall of the lower valve plug
38
, thereby blocking the air hole A
5
so that the air cannot be introduced into the gas cylinder
20
whereby the air in the gas cylinder
20
is drained through the air drain hole B
3
so that the piston
21
can be moved upward.
Accordingly, the piston is moved reciprocally so that the piston rod continuously compress that air into the oil cylinder of a double-force type vice, thereby successively supplying pressure so as to enhance the holding strength of the vice. In addition, the single air inlet port supplies the air into the gas cylinder while the spring exerts a restoring force so that the piston can be moved quickly, thereby enhancing the working efficiency of double-force type pressure cylinder structure.
It should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims
- 1. A double-force type pressure cylinder-structure comprising:a pressurizing cylinder base (10) defining a radial through hole (11) having a first side threadedly provided with a liquid inlet port (12) having a distal end for receiving a first ball (13), thereby forming a first check valve, and having a second side threadedly provided with a liquid outlet port (14) having a distal end for receiving a second ball (15), thereby forming a second check valve, said pressure cylinder base (10) having a central portion defining a pressurizing cylinder chamber (16) for receiving a piston rod (23), said pressurizing cylinder chamber (16) having a top defining a screw hole (17) for receiving a sealing bushing (18), a support bushing (19) screwed into said screw hole (17) for securing said sealing bushing (18) and for supporting said piston rod (23) which is sealed by said sealing bushing (18); a gas cylinder (20) secured on said pressurizing cylinder base (10) and containing a piston (21) therein, said piston (21) having a bottom defining an inner annular hole (211) for receiving a flange disk (22), said flange disk (22) having a central portion screwed on one end of said piston rod (23), a spring (24) having a first end secured on said flange disk (22) and a second end secured on an end face of said pressurizing cylinder base (10) so that said piston (21) is pushed upward by said spring (24), a main air drain hole (25) longitudinally defined in a wall of said gas cylinder (20) and extending into a bottom of said gas cylinder (20), a direction change air drain hole (26) longitudinally defined in said wall of said gas cylinder (20) and extending into a mediate portion of said gas cylinder (20); and a top cap (30) secured on said gas cylinder (20) by bolts (31) and having a central portion defining a through stepped hole (32), said stepped hole (32) provided with an inner flange (33), said inner flange (33) having a bottom for receiving a lower piston base (34) and a top for receiving an upper piston base (35) which is screwed by bolts (36), said upper piston base (35) defining an inner cylinder chamber (351), said lower piston base (34) having an upper portion defining a concave annular hole (343) for receiving an upper valve plug (37) and a lower valve plug (38), and having a lower portion for receiving a spline (391) which defines a plurality of radially arranged slots (3911), an O-ring (392) mounted on a distal end of said spline (391), a direction change piston (393) slidably mounted in said inner cylinder chamber (351) of said upper piston base (35) and having an axle extending into said upper valve plug (37) and abutting an end face of said spline (391), a threaded post (394) extending through a block ring (395), through said spline (391) and screwed into said axle of said direction change piston (393) so that said spline (391) is integrally coupled with said direction change piston (393) while said block ring (395) closes said slots (3911) of said spline (391).
- 2. The double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said upper piston base (35) defines a first air hole (A1) extending therethrough and has a top threadedly secured with an air inlet port (40) connected to said first air hole (A1) of said upper piston base (35), said inner flange (33) defining a second air hole (A2), said second air hole (A2) having a first side connected to said first air hole (A1) and a second side connected to a first radial hole (A3) defined in said lower piston base (34), said first radial hole (A3) having a distal end connected to a second radial hole (A4) defined in said upper valve plug (37), said second radial hole (A4) connected between said upper valve plug (37) and said lower valve plug (38), an air vent hole (A5) defined in said lower valve plug (38) and connected to an air guide hole (A6) defined in said lower piston base (34), and said air guide hole (A6) connected to a inside of said gas cylinder (20).
- 3. The double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said top cap (30) defines a first air hole (B1) connected to said main air drain hole (25) of said gas cylinder (20) and connected to an annular groove (341) defined in said lower piston base (34), a second air hole (B2) defined in said lower piston base (34) and connected to said annular groove (341), an air drain hole (B3) defined in said upper piston base (35) and connected to said second air hole (B2).
- 4. The double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said top cap (30) defines a first air hole (C1) connected to said direction change air drain hole (25) of said gas cylinder (20) and connected to an annular groove (352) defined in said upper piston base (35), a second air hole (C2) defined in said upper piston base (35) and connected between said annular groove (352) of said upper piston base (35) and said inner cylinder chamber (351) of said upper piston base (35).
- 5. The double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with claim 3, wherein said lower piston base (34) defines an air supply hole (B4) connected to said annular groove (341) and connected to said slots (3911) of said spline (39).
- 6. The double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with claim 3, wherein said upper piston base (35) defines an air hole (D) connected to said air drain hole (B3) of said upper piston base (35) and connected to said inner cylinder chamber (351).
- 7. The double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein said direction change piston (393) defines a through stepped hole (3931) for receiving an extension rod (3912) of said spline (391) therein, a buffer spring (54) mounted on said extension rod (3912) of said spline (391) and positioned in a bottom of said stepped hole (3931) of said direction change piston (393), an O-ring (51) mounted on said extension rod (3912), a washer (52) mounted in a top of said stepped hole (3931) of said direction change piston (393), and a screw (53) extending through said washer (52) and screwed into a top end of said extension rod (3912) of said spline (391) so that a buffer space is defined between said direction change piston (393) and said spline (391).
- 8. The double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with claim 7, wherein said extension rod (3912) of said spline (391) has a bottom provided with a catch flange (3914) abutting said buffer spring (54), said catch flange (3914) having a bottom defining an annular groove (3915) for securing an O-ring (392) therein.
- 9. The double-force type pressure cylinder structure in accordance with claim 2, wherein said top cap (30) and said upper piston base (35) are integrally coupled with each other to form a top cover (60) which defines an air hole (A10) connected to said first radial hole (A3) of said lower piston base (34).
US Referenced Citations (7)