JPH0353490B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a detachable coupling device between two members such as two mechanical members. More particularly, the present invention relates to a coupling device in which an annular locking ring is engaged in annular grooves in two members having cylindrical, conical, etc. cross sections.

[Conventional technology]

Mechanical parts are usually interconnected by various locking devices. Rotating machine tools are usually connected to a conical arbor which is connected to the nose of the machine spindle by a chuck or other coupling. A large number of such attachment devices are known in the art and are of specific design for specific types of tools. In other applications, for example when connecting two tubular members to each other, an external locking device with an annular flange is often used, the final clamping force being achieved by some type of threaded connection. .

A coupling device using a radially deformable locking ring is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 47-46126.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The locking ring described in the above-mentioned publication is elastically deformed in the radial direction when assembled, and is formed so as to support a load at its end face during use. However, although it is preferable to make the wall thickness thin in order to make it easier to deform elastically, there is a problem in that when the wall thickness is made thinner, the load-bearing capacity decreases and it becomes easier to break.

An object of the present invention is to provide a joint device equipped with a locking ring that has excellent load-bearing ability even when the wall thickness is reduced.

[Means to solve the problem]

A coupling device according to the invention is a coupling device between a first member and a second member, the first member having an outer circumferential surface including a generally circular groove open radially outward; The second member has an inner circumferential surface formed in a size to receive the outer circumferential surface, and the inner circumferential surface is radially inwardly open opposite to the radially outwardly open substantially circular groove. one of the grooves includes a first flat end surface extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis formed by the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface; the other of the grooves is at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis and the first
a second planar end surface spaced longitudinally from an end surface of the locking ring, and a split locking ring disposed to partially enter the first groove and the second groove in the locked position. , the locking ring has a wedge-shaped cross section formed by first and second locking surfaces, the first locking surface extending parallel to the first flat end surface. the second locking surface is arranged to engage the second flat end surface parallel to the second flat end surface, and the locking ring is radially arranged to engage the second flat end surface. A coupling device having inwardly facing walls and radially outwardly facing walls, one of the walls being longitudinally spaced apart forming a first set of longitudinally spaced teeth. a plurality of locking surfaces spaced longitudinally such that one of the first member and the second member receives a respective one of the first set of teeth; an annular groove formed to receive a circumferentially directed external force at a separated end of the locking ring so that the locking ring can be compressed or expanded; .

[Effect]

According to the above configuration, the locking ring has a wedge-shaped cross-section formed by a first and a second locking surface, the first locking surface being parallel to the first flat end surface. and the second locking surface engages the second flat end surface parallel to the second flat end surface to wedge the first member and the second member. Perform locking with other members. The locking surface providing such locking defines a first set of longitudinally spaced teeth, and the first set of teeth engages one of the first member and the second member. It is adapted to be received in each of a plurality of annular grooves provided in the. This feature allows the load on the split locking ring to be distributed and supported over many locking surfaces, eliminating excessive stress concentration on both the inside and outside of the locking ring. Durability can be improved.
Furthermore, by being able to distribute the load over many locking surfaces, the locking ring can be thinner and still support the desired load, allowing the overall device to be smaller.
In addition, since the wall thickness can be reduced, the elasticity of the locking ring can be increased, and the expansion or compression action required during installation can be reliably obtained.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 shows a first coupling device for connecting a male member (first member) 10 and a female member (second member) 12.
An example is shown. The male member 10 is provided with an axially projecting pin member 60 and the female member 12 is provided with a corresponding cylindrical deep portion 61. This pin member 60 can be formed as an integral part of the male member 10, as shown in FIG. It can thus be formed as separate parts that are releasably connected. The male member 10 has a radially inwardly extending abutment surface 62 such that a corresponding end surface 63 of the female member 12 is axially supported on the abutment surface 62. The contact surface 62 is the first
Inner conical surface 64 of male member 10 as shown
It is intended that the inner conical surface 64 can be engaged by a corresponding conical surface 65 of the female member 12 to achieve good centering.

The outer diameter of the pin member 60 and the diameter of the deep portion 61 are formed to be compatible with each other so that an annular space 66 is formed therebetween, and this annular space 66
receives a split locking ring 20 made of a suitable spring steel material and is adapted to sit on the male member 10. The split locking ring 20 can be compressed or expanded in the radial direction by forming a slot in a portion of the ring member and applying an external force to the ends formed on both sides of the slit. The locking ring 20 has a plurality of axially spaced inner wedge surfaces 6 on its inner side.
7, which are suitable to provide abutment flanges for engagement with complementary radial bearing surfaces 68 of a corresponding number of axially separated annular grooves 69 of the male member 10. The locking ring 20 of FIG. 1 has a similar profile on its outside. Although the inner wedge surface 67 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, which is intended to act as an abutment flange, is radially oriented, a similar wedge surface may alternatively be placed in the center of the male member 10. It can be arranged obliquely with respect to line 70.

The outer wedge surface 71 provided on the outer side of the locking ring 20 is arranged at an acute angle with respect to the centerline 70 and has a corresponding V-shaped annular groove 72 in the female member 12.
It is intended to engage with Inner wedge surface 67 provided inside the locking ring 20
are oriented radially, but at the same time are arranged obliquely with respect to an outer wedge surface 71 provided on the outside of the locking ring 20, which outer wedge surface 71 has a complementary bearing surface 73 of the annular groove 72. It is intended to engage with These inner wedge surfaces 67 and outer wedge surfaces 71 perform a wedge action as locking surfaces, and lock the male member 10 and the female member 12 together.

When connecting the male member 10 and the female member 12,
The locking ring 20 is brought into an expanded position by applying a circumferential external force to its ends, in which the outer wedge surface 71 engages the complementary support surface 73 of the annular groove 72. Inner wedge surface 6
7 is adapted to maintain contact with a complementary support surface 68. Prior to applying this external force to locking ring 20, locking ring 20 is in a radially contracted position as shown to the right of centerline 70 in FIGS. The member 12 can be assembled. As will be appreciated, upon engagement, the inner wedge surface 67 slides radially outwardly while maintaining contact with the support surface 68 of the male member 10.

In order to engage the male member 10 and the female member 12 without any problems, it is necessary to prevent interference between the outer end surface 74 of the locking ring 20 and the peak surface 75 between adjacent annular grooves 72 of the female member 12. In order to insert the pin member 60 into the depth 61 , the female member 12 is provided with a guide surface 76 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the outer end surface 74 .
It is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the peak surface 75 of No. 2. The male member 10 is provided with a guide ring 77 at its front end, and this guide ring 77 is connected to the guide surface 7.
It has a guide surface 78 which acts in the same way as 6.
The axial extension of these guide surfaces 76, 78 should be somewhat greater than the distance between adjacent annular grooves 72.

As shown in FIG. 1, annular groove 69 is formed as axially separated concentric grooves. Alternatively, it is also possible to form the groove in the form of a pitched thread. FIG. 2 shows a variant embodiment in which the locking ring 20 has a flat inner surface 79. The position of locking ring 20 in the unclamped position is shown to the right of centerline 70, and the locking ring 20 in the clamped position is shown to the left of centerline 70. The inner wedge surface of the locking ring 20 is in this case the same as the radially inner end surface 80 of the locking ring 20, which is to be brought into contact with the radially oriented bearing surface 68 of the annular groove 69. As shown in Figure 2,
The annular groove 69 is formed as a U-shaped groove provided on the outer surface of the pin member 60, and the rear radial guide surface is formed by a guide ring 81, which is the guide ring located at the forefront in the axial direction. Together with 77, it forms the confinement surface of annular groove 69.

In its inactive position, the locking ring 20 lies within the annular groove 69 in the jacket surface of the male member 10 and must be expanded to engage a complementary wedge surface in the annular groove 72 of the female member 12. . Alternatively, the locking ring 20 is located in the annular groove 72 of the female member 12 in its inactive position and is then compressed to achieve locking engagement with the mating depth of the male member 10. However, in some applications it may be sufficient for the locking ring 20 of FIG. 1 to have an end face diameter larger than the corresponding profile of the female member 12 before it is activated. In such a case, the end portions of locking ring 20 may be activated by external force upon engagement or disengagement of male and female members 10 and 12, such as by wedge, eccentric, grip means or other means. The locking function between the male member 10 and the female member 12 is achieved only by the elasticity or expansion or compression force generated in the locking ring 20.

3 and 4, an embodiment is shown in which the locking ring 20 is arranged on the outer surface of the male member 10 and is provided with drive means. The locking ring 20 has a wedge-shaped slot 82 formed by two narrowing but merging wedge surfaces 83,84. A wedge member 85 is disposed in the deep portion 86 of the male member 10 and more particularly wedge-shaped slot 82
is received by the wedge member 85 so that the portion of the wedge member 85 extending into the slot 82 has a complementary contact surface with the wedge surfaces 83,84.

To permit axial movement of wedge member 85, a cylindrical member 87 is received within a radially oriented bore 88 of male member 10 such that the radially outer end portion is complementary to wedge member 85. The opposite end portion of the cylindrical member 87 is received in the male member 1
Sleeve 91 received in central cylindrical bore 92 of 0
are received in corresponding radially oriented bores 90 of. Applying an upward external force on sleeve 91 in FIGS. 3 and 4 can create a corresponding axially upward force on wedge member 85 through cylindrical member 87, causing wedge member 85 to move into slot 82. When inserted, the locking ring 20 is expanded and brought into locking engagement with the annular groove 72 provided in the female member 12.

5 and 6, locking ring 20 and associated wedge member 93 are both shown on female member 12.
An example that can be accepted is shown below. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the pin member 60 is connected to the locking ring 20
It has a guide ring 81 arranged to support and hold it in a predetermined position in the axial direction. Wedge member 9
3 is received in an axially oriented groove 94 of U-shaped cross section. The locking ring 20 has its end surfaces 95, 9
6 is axially grooved with a square tooth profile providing an effective wedge surface. These end faces 95, 96 are arranged at an angle α with respect to each other, the angle α preferably being in the range 120 to 160 degrees. At the same time, these teeth 95,9 providing a wedge surface
6 converge symmetrically at an angle β, which preferably lies in the range 15 to 40 degrees. Wedge member 93
The end faces 97, 98 of the grooved locking ring 20 are similarly arranged inclined at an angle α, and the end faces 95, 98 of the grooved locking ring 20
It has a tooth profile similar to that of 96.

By applying an axial force to wedge member 93 in FIG. 5, locking ring 20 can be compressed in a radial direction. The inner wedge surface 67 of the locking ring 20 comes to engage the corresponding support surface 68 of the annular groove 69 of the pin member 60 of the male member 10, thus causing the male member 10 and the female member 1
Achieve a lock connection between the two.

7 to 10, an embodiment is shown in which the locking ring 20 is intended to be subjected to a radially inward compressive force for engaging an annular groove 69 in the outer surface of the pin member 60. It is something. The force to act on the locking ring 20 is applied by a clamping wedge member 99 of substantially rhombic cross section received in the radial groove 100. Wedge member 9
The radial force exerted on 9 is exerted by a clamp screw 101 located in a cylindrical bore 102 that is located coaxially to the groove 100.
The outer covering surface of the wedge member 99 is the wedge surface 1 arranged at an angle.
03 (FIG. 11), the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the end surface of the grooved locking ring 20. The shape of the locking ring 20 is further shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
The active wedge surface is indicated at 104. In FIG. 10, the locking ring 20 having a wedge-shaped slot 82 has end faces 83, 84 forming the slot 82 from the inside to the outside.
It is shown facing towards. Also visible in FIG. 9 is an annular groove 69 provided in the male member 10.

11 and 12, a wedge member 99 is shown engaging and cooperating with locking ring 20, with the active wedge surface indicated by 103.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a locking ring consisting of two separate ring members 20a, 20b, which in the inactive position fit into corresponding annular grooves 72 of the female member 12. Placed. Ring member 20a is disposed in the upper portion of annular groove 72 of female member 12, and ring member 20b is disposed in the lower portion of annular groove 72. By applying a compressive force to the ring members 20a, 20b, they become compressed and engage the respective upper and lower portions of the annular groove 69 in the pin member 60 of the male member 10, thereby causing all Axial forces are transmitted by active wedge surfaces on the outer and inner surfaces of these ring members 20a, 20b.

In FIG. 14, the pin member 6 of the male member 10 is
0 has a conical outer covering surface 105 and the female member 12
shows an embodiment with a corresponding conical surface 106. The locking ring is in the inactive position within the deep portion 107 of the female member 12, with the wedge surface of the locking ring supporting a corresponding radially oriented annular groove 69 provided in the inner wall portion of the deep portion 107. engages surface 68; By applying a radially inward force, the locking ring is compressed and engages its axially separated wedge surface 71 with a support surface 73 arranged at an angle corresponding to the annular groove 72. thereby causing the male member 10 and the female member 12 to
An axial locking engagement occurs between the two.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention in which a male member and a female member are connected by a circular split locking ring.
2 is a sectional view of the second embodiment, FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the third embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment.
-XI cross-sectional view, Figure 4 is line XII-XII of Figure 3.
5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line - of FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line - of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an inside view of the split locking ring of FIGS. 7 and 8. 10 is a partial side view of the split locking ring of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a wedge used in engagement with the split locking ring of FIGS. 1 and 2. side view of the member;
FIG. 12 is another side view of the wedge member shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 shows a wedge member in which the male and female members are connected by two axially spaced split locking rings. A sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the invention, in which a conical male member and a corresponding female member are connected by a circular split locking ring. It is. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Male member, 12... Female member, 20... Locking ring, 67... Inner wedge surface, 68, 73... Support surface, 69... Annular groove, 71... Outer wedge surface, 72... Annular groove.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A coupling device between a first member 10 and a second member 12, wherein the first member 10 has an outer periphery including a generally circular groove 69 open radially outward. the second member 12 has an inner circumferential surface sized to receive the outer circumferential surface, and the inner circumferential surface faces the substantially circular groove 69 that is open outward in the radial direction. A substantially circular groove 7 that opens radially inward.
2, one of the grooves includes a first flat end surface 68 extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the outer circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface; includes a second flat end surface 73 at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis and longitudinally spaced apart from the first end surface, and in the locked position includes a portion between the first groove and the second groove. a split locking ring 20 disposed to enter the locking surface, the locking ring having a wedge-shaped cross-section formed by first and second locking surfaces, the first locking surface 80
is provided to engage the first flat end surface 68 parallel to the first flat end surface 68 , and the second locking surface is provided parallel to the second flat end surface 73 to engage the first flat end surface 68 . in a coupling arrangement in which the locking ring 20 has a radially inwardly facing wall and a radially outwardly facing wall, one of these walls extending in the longitudinal direction. one of the first member 10 and the second member 12 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced locking surfaces 71 forming a first set of spaced teeth; includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular grooves 69, 72 for receiving each one of the first set of teeth, and the locking ring 20 is configured to be compressible or expandable. king ring 2
A joint device characterized in that the joint device is formed to receive an external force directed in the circumferential direction at the separated end portions of the joint device. 2 deforming the locking ring 20 to maintain engagement between the first locking surface 80 and the first end surface 68 and between the second end surface 73 and the corresponding locking surface 71; Drive means 85, 93, 99 are provided between the first member 10 and the second member 12 in order to apply a circumferentially directed external force to the end of the locking ring 20 to cause the locking ring to lock. The joint device according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The end portion of the locking ring 20 comprises a pair of circumferentially opposed wedge surfaces 83, 84, and the drive means separates the locking ring 20 in order to radially expand the locking ring 20. 3. The coupling device of claim 2, wherein the coupling device is longitudinally movable between the pair of wedge surfaces to apply a circumferentially directed force to the wedged end. 4. An annular guide ring 77 is provided at the front longitudinal end of the first member 10, which guide ring is connected to the locking ring 20 for guiding the first member 10 to the second member 12. A joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking ring (20) extends radially beyond the outer circumferential surface by a greater distance than the locking ring (20) when the locking ring (20) is in a radially compressed state. Device. 5. said locking ring 20 having a radially inwardly facing wall and a radially outwardly facing wall, one of said walls forming said first set of longitudinally spaced teeth; the plurality of longitudinally spaced locking surfaces 71, the other of which walls forming a second set of longitudinally spaced teeth; including a plurality of locking surfaces 67 and longitudinally spaced such that one of the first member 10 and the second member 12 receives one each of the first set of teeth. a plurality of annular grooves 72 spaced longitudinally such that the other of the first member 10 and the second member 12 each receives one tooth of the second set; A coupling device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an annular groove (69). 6. A coupling device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the drive means applies the force to the end of the ring member 20 so as to deform the ring member 20 radially outward.