Chucks or sockets – With fluid-pressure actuator – Socket type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-22
2001-01-09
Bishop, Steven C. (Department: 3722)
Chucks or sockets
With fluid-pressure actuator
Socket type
C269S026000, C269S309000, C279S075000, C279S157000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170836
ABSTRACT:
The present invention concerns a clamping device for securing a draw-in nipple to a clamping plate, having a receptacle into which the draw-in nipple is insertable, and having a clamping mechanism in order to immobilize the draw-in nipple in the receptacle.
The machining of metal workpieces is often very complex, and can comprise a plurality of chip-generating and non-chip-generating operations on a variety of machines in order to manufacture the finished component from a blank. With automated production sequences in particular, it is essential in this context that the workpiece assume a defined position on the respective machine tool for each operation. For this purpose, it is usual in practice first to clamp the workpiece being processed onto a hole matrix plate, and then to clamp the entire unit in place on the respective machine via four draw-in nipples which are provided on the back side of the hole matrix plate and are configured as centering elements, by inserting the draw-in nipples into corresponding quick clamping units which are provided on the machine table. In mass production, the position of the quick clamping devices can thus be regarded as a fixed machine parameter, so that all that is necessary is to position each workpiece exactly on the hole matrix plate. The unit made up of workpiece and hole matrix plate can then be actually clamped and reclamped onto the machines very quickly and without difficulty, with no necessity for further positioning.
It is problematic, however, that the clamping devices, which as a rule are configured as hydraulic clamping devices, are susceptible during use to contamination with chips and small particles. These contaminants can lead to system inaccuracies and, in extreme cases, even to malfunctions.
It is therefore the object of the invention to configure a clamping device of the kind cited initially in such a way that system inaccuracies caused by contamination are at least largely avoided.
According to the present invention, this object is achieved in that at least one air delivery conduit, connectable to a compressed air source, opens into the receptacle, there being in particular configured, in at least one component defining the receptacle, air conduits which run transverse to the guidance direction and are directed to a seating surface for centering of the draw-in nipple, through which air delivered through the air delivery conduit is steered toward the seating surface.
This configuration creates the possibility, when a draw-in nipple is inserted into the receptacle of the clamping device and optionally when the draw-in nipple is removed from the receptacle, of blowing compressed air into the receptacle and thus maintaining the cleanliness of both the draw-in nipple and the receptacle, in particular the seating surfaces which are provided on these components and in some cases are poorly accessible. System inaccuracies caused by contamination can thereby be reliably prevented.
In this context, the at least one air delivery conduit should be positioned so that the inflowing air effectively reaches the essential regions of the receptacle; the air conduits ensure that air arrives at even the poorly accessible points.
Advantageously, the air delivery conduit opens into the receptacle at its side opposite the insertion opening for the draw-in nipple, so that the compressed air flows from the bottom of the receptacle toward the insertion opening, and chips and small particles are thus reliably blown out of the receptacle. In particular, it may be advantageous to convey the compressed air into the receptacle simultaneously at several points.
In a manner known per se, the clamping device can be configured as a hydraulic clamping unit having a piston/cylinder arrangement consisting of a cylinder and a piston that is guided displaceably in the cylinder and with the cylinder constitutes a pressure space, the receptacle for the draw-in nipple being configured at the end face of the piston located opposite to the pressure space, and actuation of the clamping mechanism being accomplished by displacement of the piston, a stop being provided for axial positioning of a draw-in nipple in the receptacle. With this configuration, the at least one air delivery conduit can advantageously be configured in the cylinder and piston. According to one embodiment of the invention in particular, provision is made for the piston to have on its end surface facing the pressure space an extension which is inserted into a recess that is, in particular, configured centrally in the bottom of the cylinder and forms a part of the air delivery conduit, a conduit section joining the recess and the receptacle being configured in the extension. As a result of this configuration, the clamping device is compact and resistant to malfunction.
In a further embodiment of the invention, provision is made for the air conduits to be configured in a guide element provided to guide the draw-in nipple; advantageously, they are configured in the end surface of the guide element facing toward the insertion opening of the receptacle, which has the advantage that they can easily be manufactured, for example ground into the end surface. In addition, the air conduits should advantageously be arranged in a manner uniformly distributed over the circumference of the guide element, and should run substantially radially with respect to the latter.
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Bishop Steven C.
Liniak, Berenato, Longarce & White, LLC
Vischer & Bolli AG
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