Patent Grant
11712785
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to the following German Patent Application No. 10 2020 101 062.1, filed on Jan. 17, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
The invention refers to a workpiece clamping device having a first clamping body and a second clamping body. The workpiece clamping device is configured to directly or indirectly clamp a workpiece between the clamping bodies. The clamping bodies are movably arranged on at least one base body. The shifting of the clamping bodies toward or away from each other can be carried out by rotation of a threaded spindle around a spindle longitudinal axis in order to clamp or release a workpiece.
Such a workpiece clamping device is known, for example, from DE 10 2017 122 112 A1. There the clamping bodies are provided with a threaded bore and are in engagement with the threaded spindle.
Starting from this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to simplify the adaption of the workpiece clamping device to workpieces having different sizes. This task is solved by means of the workpiece clamping device as disclosed and claimed herein.
A workpiece clamping device, including: at least one base body that is configured to be arranged on a support, a first clamping body and a second clamping body that are movably supported on the at least one base body in a clamping direction, a threaded spindle extending in clamping direction along a spindle longitudinal axis and comprising a first thread section for the first clamping body and a second thread section for the second clamping body, wherein the first clamping body has a first coupling body and the second clamping body has a second coupling body, the first coupling body and the second coupling body movable between a coupling position and a decoupling position, the first coupling body and the second coupling body each comprise a counter thread portion on an end assigned to the threaded spindle that is in engagement with the first thread section or the second thread section in the coupling position and is disengaged from the first thread section and the second thread section in the decoupling position.
According to the present disclosure, the workpiece clamping device has at least one base body and preferably at least two base bodies. The at least one base body is configured to be arranged on a support. The support can be formed by one or more support plates. Preferably an attachment device is provided in order to arrange the at least one base body releasably on the carrier in a force-fit and/or form-fit manner.
A first clamping body and a second clamping body are slidably supported in a clamping direction on the at least one base body. In an embodiment the first clamping body can be slidably supported on a first base body and the second clamping body can be slidably supported on a second base body. The two base bodies are configured as separate bodies and particularly arranged with distance in clamping direction.
A threaded spindle that is rotatable around a spindle longitudinal axis extends in clamping direction along the at least one base body. The threaded spindle has a first thread section for the first clamping body and a second thread section for the second clamping body. Preferably the first thread section and the second thread section have different rotation directions or rotation senses. For example, the first thread section may be a right-hand thread and the second thread section may be a left-hand thread or vice versa.
The workpiece clamping device comprises a coupling body for each clamping body. Each coupling body is movable, e.g. slidable, between a coupling position and a decoupling position. Each coupling body has an end that is assigned to the first thread section or the second thread section and comprises a counter thread portion. The counter thread portion is a thread that is not completely closed in thread rotation direction or in circumferential direction.
In the coupling position the counter thread portion engages the assigned first thread section or the assigned second thread section. Therefore, during a rotation of the threaded spindle a movement of the clamping body in clamping direction is caused. In the decoupling position of the respective coupling body the counter thread portion is out of engagement with the assigned first thread section or second thread section. Thus, no drive coupling exists between the threaded spindle and the clamping body. The clamping body can be positioned quickly and without rotation of the threaded spindle relative to the at least one base body. In doing so, a quick adjustment of the position of the clamping body in clamping direction is possible in order to adapt the workpiece clamping device to workpieces of different sizes. Particularly very long threaded spindles would otherwise require a time-consuming rotation movement for adjustment of the clamping bodies, if they would have to be moved along a respectively long path in clamping direction.
Preferably the first thread section and the second thread section have the same thread pitch amount.
It is also preferred, if the clamping bodies have the same distance to a center plane respectively, that is orientated orthogonal to the clamping direction. The center plane intersects the threaded spindle between the first thread section and the second thread section. During a rotation of the threaded spindle and if both coupling bodies are in their coupling position, the two coupling bodies move along equal distances relative to the center plane toward each other or away from each other, depending on the rotation direction of the threaded spindle.
It is advantageous, if the workpiece clamping device has a first coupling body for the first clamping body and a second coupling body for the second clamping body, wherein the second coupling body distinguishes from the first coupling body. The two coupling bodies have particularly counter thread portions with opposite rotation direction, adapted to the assigned first thread section or second thread section respectively.
It is advantageous, if each clamping body has a mounting recess. The mounting recess is configured to locate the assigned coupling body, particularly if it takes the coupling position. Preferably the mounting recess extends completely through the clamping body in a direction orthogonal to the spindle longitudinal axis. In doing so, the coupling body can be inserted in the mounting recess on a side facing away from the threaded spindle and can, in the coupling position, project with its end assigned to the threaded spindle from the mounting recess in order to get into engagement with the first thread section or the second thread section.
In an embodiment each coupling body has a base part. The base part is configured for releasable attachment of the coupling body on the assigned clamping body and can cooperate with an assigned locking device for this purpose. In the coupling position the coupling body is preferably held on the assigned clamping body by means of the base part in a force-fit and/or form-fit manner.
The base part can have a plate-shaped form. This means a form, wherein the thickness of the base part is smaller than the dimension of the base part in at least one direction orthogonal to the thickness.
It is preferred, if the base part comprises a stop surface that cooperates with a counter stop surface of the assigned clamping body. In the coupling position of the coupling body the stop surface of the base part abuts against the counter stop surface. In doing so, a relative position between the coupling body taking the coupling position and the clamping body can be defined in order to ensure a reliable engagement of the counter thread portion in the assigned first thread section or the assigned second thread section.
In an embodiment each coupling body can comprise a coupling part, for example, on which the counter thread portion is arranged. For example, the coupling part can project transverse from the base part up to an end that is assigned to the threaded spindle and on which the counter thread portion is arranged. Thereby the coupling part can be orientated orthogonal to the threaded spindle. In addition or as an alternative, it can also be orientated orthogonal to a plane in which the stop surface of the base part extends. However, the stop surface can be orientated in an angle of more than 90° relative to the extension direction of the coupling part, e.g. if the base part tapers by means of an obliquely inclined stop surface toward the coupling part.
Each counter thread portion is not completely closed in a circumferential direction around the thread axis of the counter thread portion, but extends particularly at most 180° around the thread axis. An end surface of the end of the coupling body carrying the counter thread portion has therefore a contour corresponding to a cylinder shell surface portion that extends in circumferential direction at most 180° around the cylinder axis.
Each counter thread portion has multiple thread projections and multiple thread cavities. The thread projections of a common counter thread portion extend in an arc-shaped manner along a common helix respectively. Accordingly, the thread cavities of a common counter thread portion extend in an arc-shaped manner along a common helix respectively. Thereby each thread projection and each thread recess extends preferably 180° around the thread axis.
A locking device can be assigned to each coupling body. Preferably one individual locking device is provided for each coupling body. The locking device can comprise at least one locking body, for example. The locking device is configured to retain the coupling body in its coupling position and to lock the coupling body against a movement out of the coupling position toward the decoupling position.
Preferably each locking device can be switched between a locking position and a release position. Particularly the at least one locking body of each locking device can be moved between the locking position and the release position, preferably by means of a rotation movement or pivot movement. In an embodiment the at least one locking body of each locking device is rotatable or pivotable around an eccentric axis. Each locking body can comprise an eccentric part that is arranged eccentrically relative to the eccentric axis. For example, the eccentric axis can be defined by means of a bolt and particularly a threaded bolt. In one embodiment the bolt head has a non-rotationally symmetrical outer contour relative to the eccentric axis, e.g. an outer contour deviating from a circular contour.
The eccentric part can lock the assigned coupling body against a movement, e.g. against a shifting away from the threaded spindle in locking position of the locking device. In the release position of the locking device the eccentric part can allow movement away from the threaded spindle. For example, the eccentric part can engage the coupling body and particularly the base part in a form-fit manner and/or force-fit manner in the locking position, whereas it is arranged preferably without contact to the coupling body in the release position.
Preferred embodiments of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. In the following preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The drawings show:
The base bodies 11, 12 can be arranged on the support 13 in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner. For this an attachment device 17 is provided. In the embodiment attachment pins 18 are part of the attachment device 17 that project from the bottom side of each base body 11, 12, wherein at least three and according to the example, four attachment pins 18 are arranged on each base body. In the support 13 holes 19 are provided that open in the support surface 14, in which the attachment pins 18 can be inserted. Inside the support 13 clamping slides are arranged, the ends of which are assigned to one of the holes 19 respectively that can be actuated and, for example, slided by means of an operating element 20. In doing so, an attachment pin 18 that is arranged inside a hole 19, can be clamped by means of the assigned clamping slide a form-fit and/or force-fit manner. The force created thereby can have a component transverse to the extension direction of the attachment pin 18 and a component in extension direction of the attachment pin 18 such that the bottom side of the base body 11, 12 is pulled against the support surface 14. The operating element 20 of the support 13 is accessible from outside and can be, for example, a screw.
The first base body 11 and the second base body 12 are arranged with distance to each other in clamping direction R. A first clamping body 25 is slidably arranged in clamping direction R on the first base body 11. A second clamping body 26 is slidably arranged in clamping direction R on the second base body 12. A clamping surface 27 for engagement of a workpiece to be clamped is provided on each clamping body 25, 26 in the embodiment. As an alternative or in addition, an appropriate connection device can be provided on each clamping body 25, 26 in order to be able to arrange one separate clamping jaw on each clamping body 25, 26. In turn, a clamping surface for clamping of a workpiece can be provided on the clamping jaw.
Each clamping body 25, 26 has guide elements 28 arranged with distance from one another in transverse direction Q that cooperate with a guide 29 on the first base body 11 or on the second base body 12 respectively in order to guide the first clamping body 25 and the second clamping body 26 in clamping direction R. Between the two guide elements 28 the clamping body 25, 26 has a central part 30 with an opening 31 extending completely through the clamping body 25, 26 in clamping direction R. A section of a threaded spindle 32 extends through the opening 31. The threaded spindle 32 extends along the first base body 11 and the second base body 12. The threaded spindle 32 has a spindle longitudinal axis L that extends in clamping direction R. The threaded spindle 32 has a first thread section 33 arranged adjacent to the first base body 11. The threaded spindle 32 has a second thread section 34 arranged adjacent to the second base body 12. The two thread sections 33, 34 can be arranged on separate spindle parts that are connected with each other between the thread sections 33, 34 by a central piece, e.g. a sleeve 35.
In the embodiment the two thread sections 33, 34 have opposite rotation directions. For example the first thread section 33 can be configured as right-hand thread and the second thread section 34 can be configured as left-hand thread or vice versa. The thread pitch amounts of the two thread sections 33, 34 are equal.
The threaded spindle 32 extends with its first thread section 33 through the opening 31 of the first clamping body 25 and with the second thread section 34 through the opening 31 of the second clamping body 26. A first coupling body 40 having a first counter thread portion 41 is assigned to the first clamping body 25. A second coupling body 42 having a second counter thread portion 43 is assigned to the second clamping body 26. The first counter thread portion 41 is adapted to the rotation direction and the thread pitch of the first thread section 33 in order to allow a thread engagement between the first counter thread portion 41 and the first thread section 33. The second counter thread portion 43 is adapted to the thread pitch and the rotation direction to the second thread section 34 in order to allow a thread engagement between the second counter thread portion 43 and the second thread section 34.
The first coupling body 40 and the second coupling body 42 are movable between a coupling position I (
The counter thread portions 41, 43 are illustrated in
The counter thread portions 41, 43 are arranged on an end 46 of the respective coupling body 40, 42 assigned to the threaded spindle 32. This end 46 is formed by an end or end section of a coupling part 47 of the coupling body 40, 42 that extends to the end 46 originating from a base part 48 of a coupling body 40, 42.
The base part 48 has a stop surface 49 on the side facing the coupling part 47 that is configured to cooperate with a counter stop surface 50 on the assigned first clamping body 25 or second clamping body 26. In the embodiment the stop surface 49 extends in one plane that is defined by the clamping direction R and the transverse direction Q. In the embodiment the coupling part 47 of the coupling body 40, 42 is orientated orthogonal to the stop surface 49. The coupling part 47 extends particularly originating from the stop surface 49 to the end 46. At the joint location between the coupling part 47 and the base part 48 the stop surface 49 can surround the coupling part 47 completely or can only project laterally beyond the coupling part 47 at least at one location.
A mounting recess 54 is provided in the clamping body 25, 26, the contour of which is substantially matching the contour of the coupling body 40, 42, such that the coupling part 47 can slide in height direction H in a guided manner inside the mounting recess 54. The mounting recess 54 has a first section 55 that opens in the opening 31 and that is configured for location of the coupling part 47. A second section 56 adjoins the first section 55 on the side opposite the opening 31, wherein the second section 56 is configured for location of the base part 48. The second section 56 is larger than the first section 55 in transverse direction Q and/or in clamping direction R. the counter stop surface 50 is formed in the second section 56 adjoining the first section 55.
In the assembled condition, if the guide elements 28 of the clamping body 25, 26 engage the assigned guides 29 of the base body 11, 12, the threaded spindle 32 passes through the opening 31 of the clamping body 25, 26. The diameter of the opening 31 is larger than the outer diameter of the threaded spindle 32 or the first thread section 33 and the second thread section 34. In doing so, the clamping body 25, 26 can be shifted in an unimpeded manner in clamping direction R along the threaded spindle 32, if the coupling body 40, 42 is in its decoupling position II.
For coupling of the clamping body 25, 26 with the threaded spindle 32, the coupling body 40, 42 is brought into its coupling position I and for this purpose is inserted into the mounting recess 54 so far that the stop surface 49 abuts against the counter stop surface 50. Then the counter thread portion 41, 43 is in engagement with the assigned thread section 33, 34 of the threaded spindle 32. The shifting of the clamping body 25, 26 relative to the base body 11, 12 is in the coupling position I of the coupling body 40, 42 only possible, if the threaded spindle 32 is rotated around the spindle longitudinal axis L.
In order to retain the coupling body 40, 42 in the coupling position I and in order to avoid an unintentional movement away from the spindle longitudinal axis L, the workpiece clamping device 10 comprises one locking device 60 for each coupling body 40, 42. The locking device 60 can be moved between a locking position III (
In the embodiment each locking device 60 comprises two separate locking bodies 61. In the embodiment each locking body 61 has a bolt 62 that defines an eccentric axis S. On the end of the bolt 62 a bolt head is provided that forms an eccentric part 63 that is eccentrically supported around the eccentric axis S.
An embodiment of the locking device 60 or the locking bodies 61 is apparent from
In the embodiment the second eccentric section 63b extends in an arc-shaped manner around the eccentric axis S in an angle range of, for example, 180° to 200° around the eccentric axis S. The first eccentric section 63a adjoins the second eccentric section 63b. The first eccentric section 63a can have an arc-shaped outer contour having a larger radius, the circle center point of which is arranged offset from the eccentric axis S, according to the example. The eccentric part 63 can also have another configuration that is eccentric relative to the eccentric axis S.
Due to a rotation of the locking body 61 around the eccentric axis S, the eccentric part 63 pivots around the respective eccentric axis S and thereby can be pivoted between the locking position III and the release position IV. In the locking position III the eccentric part 63 is in contact with the coupling body 40, 42 taking the coupling position I and locks it against shifting relative to the clamping body 25, 26, for example against a movement in height direction H. For example, the second eccentric section 63b of the eccentric part 63 can extend partly over the base part 48 of the coupling body 40, 42.
Due to a rotation of the locking body 61, the first eccentric section 63a can face the adjacent base part 48 without extending over it. If all of the locking bodies 61 of the locking device 60 take this position, the locking device 60 is in the release position IV.
In the embodiment the base part 48 comprises a cavity 65 on two opposite sides in transverse direction Q in each case that are open in transverse direction Q. The cavity 65 is limited at least on one side in height direction H by a locking surface 66. The locking surface 66 faces away from the coupling part 47 or the counter thread portion 41, 43 or the stop surface 49. The cavity 65 can be open on the side opposite the locking surface 66 in height direction H (
An eccentric cavity 67 is provided in the first clamping body 25 and the second clamping body 26 on opposite sides in transverse direction Q in each case, accessible from outside and configured to locate the eccentric part 63 of a locking body 61. In the embodiment a cavity 65 of the coupling body 40, 42 taking the coupling position I defines a cylindrical cavity together with a respective one of the eccentric cavities 67.
In extension of the eccentric cavity 67 and adjacent to the mounting recess 54, a bolt mounting hole 68 is provided in the clamping body 25, 26 that is configured for location and particularly for screwing in of the bolt 62. For this the bolt mounting hole 68 can have an inner thread and the bolt 62 can have an outer thread.
The locking device 60 operates as follows: The bolts 62 of the locking body 61 can be screwed in the assigned bolt mounting hole 68. During a rotation about 180° around the respective eccentric axis S, the eccentric part 63 can be brought into a pivot position, in that it is located inside the eccentric cavity 67 and does not project into the mounting recess 54 or extends over it. This position is illustrated in
If a coupling body 40, 42 is inserted into the mounting recess 54 and if it takes the coupling position I, the locking device 60 can be switched in the locking position III, in that the eccentric parts 63 are pivoted around the respective eccentric axis S until they extend at least partly in the cavity 65 of the base part 48. Thereby the eccentric parts 63 extend the locking surface 66 adjacent to the cavity 65. In doing so, a shifting of the coupling body 40, 42 in the mounting recess 54 away from the threaded spindle 32 is blocked.
By means of the invention a quick adjustment of the clamping bodies 25, 26 along the base bodies 11, 12 can be carried out. For this the locking device 60 is brought into the release position IV and the coupling bodies 40, 42 are moved in their respective decoupling position II, in which they are disengaged from the respectively assigned thread sections 33, 34 of the threaded spindle 32. Then the clamping bodies 25, 26 can be moved relative to the threaded spindle 32 without rotation of the threaded spindle 32 around the spindle longitudinal axis L. If a desired position of the clamping bodies 25, 26 along the base body 11, 12 is reached, the coupling bodies 40, 42 are again moved in the coupling position I and the locking device 60 is subsequently brought in the locking position III. A movement of the clamping bodies 25, 26 relative to the threaded spindle 32 is no longer possible in this condition. Rather the clamping bodies 25, 26 can only be moved relative to the base body 11, 12 by rotation of the threaded spindle 32, e.g. in order to create a clamping force on a workpiece. In doing so, the workpiece clamping device 10 can be simply and quickly adapted for clamping of workpieces having different dimensions in this manner.
For positioning of the clamping bodies 25, 26 in a condition decoupled from the threaded spindle 32, a scale 69 can be provided on the base bodies 11, 12. In doing so, it is simply and quickly possible to arrange both clamping bodies 25, 26 relative to a common center plane with equal distances. The center plane extends orthogonal to the clamping direction R or to the spindle longitudinal axis L centrally between the two base bodies 11, 12 or centrally through the threaded spindle 32.
The invention refers to a workpiece clamping device 10 having at least one base body 11, 12. A first clamping body 25 and a second clamping body 26 are movably supported on the at least one base body 11, 12 in a clamping direction R. A threaded spindle 32 extends along a spindle longitudinal axis L. The spindle longitudinal axis L is orientated in clamping direction R. It has a first thread section 33 for the first clamping body 25 and a second thread section 34 for the second clamping body 26. A first coupling body 40 has a first counter thread portion 41 and a second coupling body 42 has a second counter thread portion 43. In a coupling position I the counter thread portions 41, 43 are in engagement with the assigned thread section 33 or 34 respectively. In a decoupling position II the counter thread portion 41, 43 is disengaged from the assigned thread section 33, 34. In this decoupling position II a movement of the clamping bodies 25, 26 is possible without rotation of the threaded spindle 32.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20210220966 A1 | Jul 2021 | US |
