WO2014009201A1

WO2014009201A1 - Device for compensating offset in automatic locking systems

Info

Publication number: WO2014009201A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/063898
Authority: WO
Inventors: Almerino Canuto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-11
Filing date: 2013-07-02
Publication date: 2014-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-11
Also published as: CN104470662B; BR112014030745A2; US9863456B2; CN104470662A; JP6290879B2; EP2872275A1; JP2015525683A; ITTV20120129A1; EP2872275B1; US20150167719A1; CA2877438C; CA2877438A1; ES2602310T3

Description

DEVICE FOR COMPENSATING OFFSET IN AUTOMATIC LOCKING SYSTEMS

The present application relates to a device for compensating offset in automatic locking systems for the mounting of blanks.

Nowadays European patent EP1346794B1 is known which relates to a modular structure, particularly for mounting blanks on retainers, which addresses the problem that arises when certain operations need to be carried out, such as for example painting, cleaning and assembly, or the execution of various different forms of working, such as for example removing shavings, which require the locking of the piece and/or blank in a preset position for the treatment thereof.

Thus devices are known which are indispensable whenever the stable locking is required of an object to be treated by way of generic and even simple operations, not necessarily in a purely industrial setting.

A significant drawback, which is complained of in conventional devices, lies in the fact that in order to achieve a stable locking of the piece it is necessary to bring both of the spacing elements of the locking device in contact with two opposite side faces of the same piece.

In this manner the possibility is thus ruled out of executing any working at those side faces, which, since they are affected by the contact, have no free surfaces to allow contact with the tool or, more generally, with the component of any machine tool.

The necessity follows from this of having to subsequently remove the piece, positioning it according to a new orientation which is such as to allow the exposure of the two side surfaces which were before partially concealed by the locking elements.

A further aggravating factor of the above problem consists in that, during the locking of the piece, the latter has at least three surfaces on which no working can be done, the third surface, in addition to the side surfaces adjacent to the locking elements, being the lower one, which entirely rests on the work surface of the machine tool.

The necessity follows from this of having to resort to multiple successive positionings and associated lockings of the piece, with the further aggravating factor of possibly repeatedly making systematic positioning errors, which thus have a negative effect on the overall precision that can be achieved at the end of working on the piece.

Another problem that is complained of in conventional devices lies in the necessity to avail of qualified labor in order to be able to perform the delicate preliminary operations of positioning and centering the piece.

An additional drawback, which often recurs in conventional locking devices, consists in the possibility of damaging the piece by local deformation, at the surfaces that have already been worked and are subsequently subjected to contact with the brackets, in order to allow the working of surfaces of the piece which have not yet been treated.

A significant problem, in addition to those mentioned above, relates to the considerable expenditure of time caused by repeated, successive operations for unlocking, repositioning and relocking a piece that is intended to receive some form of treatment on a plurality of surfaces.

In a partial solution to such drawbacks, the EP1346794B 1 patent claims a modular structure, for mounting, on retainers, blanks having at least one seat, said modular structure comprising at least one flat plate that has a plurality of first seats for detachable connection of first fixing means for at least one first body and second temporary fixing means allowing detachable connection of said first body to said blank characterized in that said second temporary fixing means allow connection of said modular structure at said seat formed in said blank and in that it further comprises a first centering bush for the automatic centering of said first body with respect to said first seat, said first bush having a first portion which is connectable in said first seat and a second frustum-shaped upper portion which has an approximately frustum- shaped outer perimetric surface that protrudes above the plate once the connection between the first seat and the bush has been achieved, said second frustum- shaped upper portion having a lower surface directly in contact with an upper surface of said flat plate; said first means for fixing said first body to said plate comprise a first traction element for connection between said first seat and said first body and a first vise-like device, which is associated with said first body, so as to temporarily lock said first traction element; said first body, which is cylindrical, has a second axial hole for the partial containment of said first and/or second traction elements, and comprises, in a lower region, a third through hole that is formed radially and is meant to accommodate said first vise-like device, said third hole affecting said second axial hole approximately at right angles; said first vise-like device is constituted by a pair of first jaws, which can be accommodated inside said third hole and are arranged mirror- symmetrically in mutually diametrically opposite positions, and said first jaws, which are substantially cylindrical, are mutually associable by way of activation means, which are constituted by a first screw, which is arranged coaxially to a fourth hole and a fifth hole which are through holes and are formed axially along said pair of first jaws.

This solution, although solving the above-mentioned problems, also has drawbacks in that it has been found that in the parts to be fixed, and thus in the blanks (designated with 50 in the EP1346794B1 patent), a first threaded hole (designated with 36 in the EP1346794B1 patent) is obtained for a fixing element (such as a threaded shank, designated with 39a in the EP1346794B 1 patent) and thus a first seat (designated with 34 in the EP1346794B 1 patent) for a centering bush (designated with 37 in the EP1346794B 1 patent): in the course of the production process of the part to be fixed, some working steps can cause the geometric shape of the piece to vary, since the first seat may subsequently be recentered with a greater size and in the best adapted position for the centering of the part (slightly shifted from the previous one). It follows from this that the diameters of the first hole and of the first seat do not have the same axis.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to resolve the above- mentioned technical problems, eliminating the drawbacks in the cited known art, by providing a device that makes it possible to offset the centering position from the fixing position.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to make it possible to position and stably lock the pieces on the platform of any machine tool, so as to perform the desired workings.

Another object is to provide a device that makes it possible to simultaneously work on the highest possible number of surfaces of the piece, by working on at least five distinct axes that are perpendicular to each other, and to ensure an optimal precision of centering of the blank, thus furthermore making it possible to repeat the centering in the event of subsequent operations performed at another time.

Another object is to provide a device that enables use that is quite safe and easy even by people with no special training and that involves a substantially flexible use, the invention being easily adaptable even to pieces of appreciably different weights, dimensions and shapes.

Another object is to provide a device that makes it possible to quickly perform the preliminary operations of locking the piece, in order to reduce production costs.

Another object is to provide a device that, in addition to the above characteristics, is also low-cost and can be provided with usual and conventional machinery and plants.

This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for compensating offset in automatic locking systems for the mounting of blanks provided with a first hole, for a fixing element, at the end of which there is a first seat for a centering bush, characterized in that it is constituted by a box-like body composed of a T-shaped hollow body and a U-shaped base, which form an inner seat for a frustum- shaped jacket, which is arranged coaxially to the shank of said hollow body and above a piston, which can move transversely to said shank, a traction element being slideably arrangeable in said shank of said hollow body and being axially integral with said fixing element, said centering bush being associated in an upper region and coaxially therewith and being arrangeable at said first seat, which has a larger diameter than said first fixing hole and is provided eccentrically to the latter, said traction element cooperating selectively with balls which can be accommodated within adapted openings provided in said shank and within adapted second seats provided on said jacket, elastically compressible elements being arranged between the head of said hollow body and said jacket, means being provided to allow a temporary axial movement of said piston.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a particular, but not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a three-quarters exploded side view of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view, along a sectional plane transverse to the box-like body, of some components of the invention;

Figure 3 is a partially sectional exploded view of the blank, the fixing element with the bush and the traction element, the jacket and the piston;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the first hole and the first seat;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views showing the interaction of various components.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

Moreover, it should be noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a device for compensating the offset in automatic locking systems for the mounting of blanks 2 which have a first, threaded hole 3 for a fixing element 4 that is constituted by a complementarily threaded shank.

At the end of the first hole 3 there is, affecting the surface 5 of the blank 2, a first seat 6 for a centering bush 7.

The first hole 3 has a first axis 8 which is offset with respect to a second axis 9 of the first seat 6.

The first seat 6 has a larger diameter than said first hole and is thus eccentric with respect to the first hole 3.

The device 1 is constituted by a box-like body 10 composed of a T- shaped hollow body 11 and a U-shaped base 12, which form an inner seat 13 for a frustum-shaped jacket 14, which is arranged coaxially to the shank 15 of the hollow body 11 and above a piston 16 with the capability of moving transversely to the shank 15.

In the upper surface 17 of the base 12 there is a first annular groove 18 which acts as a seat for a first gasket 19 that is adapted to provide a seal at the lower perimetric edge 20 of the head 21 of the hollow body 11.

The length of the shank 15 is such that its lower end 22 is positioned substantially at the plane of arrangement of the lower surface 23 of the base 12.

Thus the base 12 has, in its lower surface 23, a second hole 26 within which the lower end 22 of the shank 15 of the hollow body 11 operates.

A second gasket 24 is also present which can be arranged in a second annular groove 25 that is formed in the first wall 27 of the hollow body 11, which is formed by the second hole 26.

Proximate to the lower end 22 of the hollow body 11 , there is a third seat 28 for an optional further centering bush, not shown, which can be associated with an adapted plate. In the shank 15 of the hollow body 11 there are adapted openings 29 which are substantially circular in plan view and are arranged on a same plane which is transverse to the shank 15.

Such openings 29 are provided in proximity to the open upper end 30 of the hollow body 11.

Adapted balls 31 are selectively arrangeable inside the openings 29 and do not have the possibility of falling into the shank 15.

The frustum-shaped jacket 14 is axially perforated in order to permit the passage of the shank 15 of the hollow body 11, the jacket being provided with a second wall 32, facing the shank 15, on which second seats 33 are provided.

Such balls 21 can be selectively accommodated within the second seats 33 when the second seats are arranged on the same plane in which the openings 29 are formed in the shank 15 of the hollow body 11.

Between the head 21 of the hollow body 11 and the upper surface 34 of the jacket 14 there are fourth seats 35 for elastically compressible elements 36 such as cylindrical compression springs.

The jacket 14 is of such size as to be capable of being subjected to a transverse movement inside the inner seat 13 of the box-like body 10; the jacket 14 is thus able to perform a movement with respect to the shank 15 in the sense that its second wall 32 can move toward or away from the shank

15.

The piston 16 is essentially constituted by a pulley-shaped element which is arranged in the space between the shank 15 of the hollow body 11 and the inner side surface 37 of the base 12.

The seal is made possible by the presence of a pair of third gaskets 38a and 38b which are provided in complementarily shaped third annular grooves 39a and 39b.

The pair of third gaskets forms means that are adapted to enable a temporary axial movement of said piston. At the shank 15 of the hollow body 11 and inside it it is possible to slideably arrange a traction element 40, which is axially integral, in a downward region, with the fixing element 4 and with which the centering bush 7 is associated in an upper region and coaxially therewith.

The traction element 40 has a conical body 41 the end tip 42 of which, which is directed away from the fixing element 4, has an expansion 43. In the connecting region between the conical body 41 and the expansion 43, as shown in Figure 7, the balls 31 are selectively arranged, and their function in this position is to place the traction element 40 under tension.

Adapted screws 45 are provided which are adapted to mutually fasten and fix the base 12 and the hollow body 11.

During operation of the device, initially it is filled, at an adapted channel 44 that is provided in proximity to the lower surface 23 of the base 12, with air under pressure which affects the part of the inner seat 13 of the box-like body 10 underlying the piston 16, as shown in Figure 6.

The air lifts the piston 16 and as a consequence also the jacket 14, thus compressing the elastically compressible elements 36.

In this manner the balls 31 are free to move inside the openings 29 and thus also toward the second seats 33.

At this point the traction element 40 is inserted into the box-like body

10 through the open upper end 30 of the hollow body 11 until the end tip 42 and thus the expansion 43 are positioned at or slightly below the openings 29 which are provided in the shank 15, as shown in Figure 6.

When the air pressure is released, the elastically compressible elements 36 push the jacket 14 and the piston 16 downward: in this manner the balls 31 are pushed by the jacket 14 so as to exit from the second seats 33 and thus exit slightly from the second openings 29 so as to affect the connecting region between the conical body 41 and the end tip 42 of the traction element 40, as shown in Figure 7.

In this manner the traction element 40 is placed in downward traction. Since the jacket 14 can move horizontally, it follows that the offset of the traction element 40 with respect to the centering bush 7 can be accepted, such offset being due to the offset of the first axis 8 and of the second axis 9 respectively of the first hole 3 for the fixing element 4 and of the first seat 6 for the centering bush 7.

The possibility offered to the jacket 14 of moving in the inner seat 13 and thus with respect to the shank 15 of the hollow body 11 makes it possible to accept such misalignment, by compensating it.

In practice it has been found that the invention has fully achieved the intended aim and objects, a device being obtained that makes it possible to offset the centering position from the fixing position, thus making it possible to position and stably lock the pieces on the platform of any machine tool, so as to perform the desired workings.

Naturally the materials used as well as the dimensions of the individual components of the invention may be more pertinent to specific requirements.

The various means of achieving certain different functions certainly need not coexist only in the embodiment shown, but may be present in many embodiments, even if they are not shown.

The characteristics indicated above as advantageous, convenient or the like, may also be missing or be substituted by equivalent characteristics.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. TV2012A000129 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device (1) for compensating the offset in automatic locking systems for the mounting of blanks (2) provided with a first hole (3), for a fixing element (4), at the end of which there is a first seat (6) for a centering bush (7), characterized in that it is constituted by a box-like body (10) composed of a T-shaped hollow body (11) and a U-shaped base (12), which form an inner seat (13) for a frustum-shaped jacket (14), which is arranged coaxially to the shank (15) of said hollow body (11) and above a piston (16), which can move transversely to said shank (15), a traction element (40) being slideably arrangeable in said shank (15) of said hollow body (11) and being axially integral with said fixing element (4), said centering bush (7) being associated in an upper region and coaxially therewith and being arrangeable at said first seat (6), which has a larger diameter than said first fixing hole (3) and is provided eccentrically to the latter, said traction element (40) cooperating selectively with balls (31) which can be accommodated within adapted openings (29) provided in said shank (15) and within adapted second seats (33) provided on said jacket (14), elastically compressible elements (36) being arranged between the head (21) of said hollow body (11) and said jacket (14), means being provided to allow a temporary axial movement of said piston.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first, threaded hole (3) has a first axis (8) which is offset from a second axis (9) of said first seat (6), said first seat (6) having a larger diameter than said first hole (3) and being therefore eccentric with respect to said first hole (3).

3. The device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said elastically compressible elements (36) are adapted to press said jacket (14) and said piston (16) downward so that said balls (31) are pushed by said jacket (14) so as to exit from said second seats (33) and thus exit slightly from said second openings (29) so as to affect the connecting region between the conical body (41) and the end tip (42) of said traction element (40), which is thus subjected to downward traction, said jacket (14) being allowed to move horizontally so as to accept the offset of said traction element (40) with respect to said centering bush (7), said offset being caused by the offset of said first axis (8) and of said second axis (9), respectively of said first hole (3) for said fixing element (4) and of said first seat (6) for said centering bush (7), said jacket (14) being allowed to move in said inner seat (13) with respect to said shank (15).

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of said shank (15) is such as to arrange its lower end (22) substantially at the plane of arrangement of the lower surface (23) of said base (12), which has, in the lower surface (23), a second hole (26), in which said lower end (22) of said shank (15) of said hollow body (11) operates, said device furthermore comprising a second gasket (24), which can be arranged in a second annular groove (25) provided in the first wall (27) of said hollow body (11) formed by said second hole (26) in proximity to the lower end (22) of said hollow body (11) there being a third seat (28) for an optional additional centering bush, which can be associated with an adapted plate.

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said shank (15) of said hollow body (11) there are openings (29) which have a substantially circular plan shape and are arranged on a same plane which is transverse to said shank (15), said openings (29) being provided in proximity to the open upper end (30) of said hollow body (11), adapted balls (31) being arrangeable selectively within said openings (29) without the possibility of falling into said shank (15).

6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frustum- shaped jacket (14) is perforated axially in order to allow the passage of said shank (15) of said hollow body (11), said jacket having a second wall (32), which faces said shank (15), on which there are second seats (33), where said balls (21) can be selectively accommodated within said second seats (33) if said second seats are arranged on the same plane in which said openings (29) formed in said shank (15) of said hollow body (11) are provided.

7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that fourth seats (35) are provided, between the head (21) of said hollow body (11) and the upper surface (34) of said jacket (14), for elastically compressible elements (36) such as cylindrical compression springs.

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said jacket (14) has such dimensions that it can be subjected to a transverse motion within said inner seat (13) of said box-like body (10), said jacket (14) being able to perform a movement with respect to said shank (15) in the sense that said second wall (32) can move toward or away from said shank (15).

9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said piston (16) is constituted essentially by a pulley- shaped element, which is arranged in the space between said shank (15) of said hollow body (11) and the inner lateral surface (37) of said base (12), the seal being made possible by the presence of a pair of third gaskets (38a, 38b) provided in complementarily shaped third annular grooves (39a, 39b), said pair of third gaskets forming means adapted to allow a temporary axial movement of said piston (16).

10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at said shank (15) of said hollow body (11) and inside it, it is possible to slideably arrange a traction element (40), which is axially integral, in a downward region, with said fixing element (4) and with which said centering bush (7) is associated in an upward region and coaxially, said traction element (40) having a conical body (41), the end tip (42) of which, directed away from said fixing element (4), has an expansion (43), said balls (31) being selectively arranged in the region of connection between said conical body (41) and said expansion (43) and having, in this position, the function of subjecting said traction element (40) to traction.

11. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one adapted channel (44), which is provided in proximity to the lower surface (23) of said base (12), for the injection and extraction of air under pressure, which affects the part of said inner seat (13) of said box-like body (10) that lies below said piston (16), said air lifting said piston (16) and consequently also said jacket (14), compressing said elastically compressible elements (36) so as to allow said balls (31) to move within said openings (29) and thus also toward said second seats (33).

12. The device according to claims 1 and 11 , characterized in that once said traction element (40) has been inserted in said box-like body (10) through the open upper end (30) of said hollow body (11) until the end tip (42) and therefore the expansion (43) are located at or slightly below said openings (29) provided in said shank (15), by releasing the air pressure said elastically compressible elements (36) press downward said jacket (14), which can move within said inner seat (13) and therefore with respect to said shank (15) of said hollow body (11), making it possible to accept said offset by compensating it.