Fastening Arrangement for a Processing Machine

Abstract

A constraining assembly for a processing machine (1) is proposed that has a plate-shaped base (2) with at least one receiving hole (3) and at least one constraining bolt (4) for directly or indirectly constraining workpieces that are to be processed, wherein the constraining bolt (4) is placed in the receiving hole (3) in the base such that it can be removed therefrom, and wherein the base (2) has a receiving space (5) in which there is at least one actuating element (6) that can move axially, with which numerous lever elements (7) can be actuated to axially move the constraining bolt (4) in the receiving hole (3) in order to clamp and secure, or release, the constraining bolt (4). A constraining bolt (4) for a constraining assembly, as well as a processing machine (1) with such a constraining assembly, and a method for operating the constraining assembly, are also proposed.

Claims

1. A constraining assembly for a processing machine (1) that has a plate-shaped base (2) with at least one receiving hole (3) and at least one constraining bolt (4) for directly or indirectly constraining workpieces that are to be processed, wherein the constraining bolt (4) is placed in the receiving hole (3) in the base such that it can be removed therefrom, characterized in that the base (2) has a receiving space (5) in which there is at least one actuating element (6) that can move axially, with which numerous lever elements (7) can be actuated to axially move the constraining bolt (4) in the receiving hole (3) in order to clamp and secure, or release, the constraining bolt (4).

2. The constraining assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a first end of each lever element (7) is dedicated to the actuating element (6) and a second end of each lever element (7) is dedicated to the constraining bolt (4) in the receiving hole (3).

3. The constraining assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that each lever element (7) has a supporting segment (9) dedicated to the actuating element (6) where it pivots, a first bracing segment (12) dedicated to the base, and a second bracing segment (16) dedicated to a cover element (11) on the base (2), and a bearing segment (13) facing the constraining bolt (4) for moving the constraining bolt (4) axially in the receiving hole (3) in the base (2) in order to clamp and secure it in place, or to release it.

4. The constraining assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the supporting segment (9) is on the first end of each lever element (7) and the first bracing segment (12) and second bracing segment (16) as well as the bearing segment (13) are on the second ends of the lever elements (7), wherein the first bracing segment (12) bears on the base (2) and the second bracing segment (16) bears on the cover element (11), and the bearing segment (13) bears on a corresponding bearing surface (15) on the constraining bolt (4).

5. The constraining assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing segment (13) on each lever element (7) bears on the corresponding bearing surface (15) on the constraining bolt (4), which is at a predetermined angle (ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3) to the longitudinal axis (14) thereof, in order to move the constraining bolt (4) axially in the receiving hole (3).

6. The constraining assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the axial distance (S1) travelled by the constraining bolt (4) depends on the selected angle (ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3) of the bearing surface (15), wherein a smaller angle (ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3) of the bearing surface results in a greater distance (S1) travelled by the constraining bolt (4).

7. The constraining assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving space (5) in the base (2) encompassing the central receiving hole (3) is substantially circular, and that the actuating element (6) has a circular form that fits in the circular receiving space (5).

8. The constraining assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving space (5) is delimited by a cover element (11) attached to the base (2).

9. The constraining assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the circular actuating element (6) has numerous receivers (8) for the supporting segments (9) of the lever elements (7) distributed over its inner circumference.

10. The constraining assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the circular actuating element (6) has numerous receivers (10) for spring elements (17) distributed over its outer circumference, wherein the spring elements (17) are each braced at a first end in the receivers (10) in the actuating element (6) and at a second end in a receiver (18) on the cover element (11).

11. A constraining bolt (4) for a constraining assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that there is a circumferential bearing surface (15) forming a step encompassing the constraining bolt (4), which has a predetermined angle (ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3) in relation to the longitudinal axis (14), at which a force is applied to the constraining bolt (4) in order to draw it inward in the axial direction.

12. The constraining bolt according to claim 11, characterized in that the axial distance (S1) travelled by the constraining bolt (4) is dependent on the angle (ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3) of the bearing surface (15), wherein a smaller angle (ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3) of the bearing surface (15) results in a greater axial distance (S2) travelled by the constraining bolt (4).

13. A processing machine that has at least one constraining assembly having a plate-shaped base (2) with at least one receiving hole (3) and at least one constraining bolt (4) for directly or indirectly constraining workpieces that are to be processed, wherein the constraining bolt (4) is placed in the receiving hole (3) in the base such that it can be removed therefrom, characterized in that the base (2) has a receiving space (5) in which there is at least one actuating element (6) that can move axially, with which numerous lever elements (7) can be actuated to axially move the constraining bolt (4) in the receiving hole (3) in order to clamp and secure, or release, the constraining bolt (4).

14. A method for operating a constraining assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a constraining bolt (4) in the constraining assembly is held in place by a bearing surface (15) and lever elements (7) bearing thereon in a receiving space (5) in a base (2) when clamped and secured in place, via a pretensioned actuating element (6), wherein in order to move the constraining bolt (4) axially in a released state, a pressurized medium is introduced into the receiving space (5), such that the actuating element (6) is moved counter to the pretensioning, resulting in a pivoting of the lever elements (7), and releasing the constraining bolt (4), and wherein after removing the medium, the released constraining bolt (4) is again secured in place due to the pretensioning acting thereon.

15. The constraining assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that each lever element (7) has a supporting segment (9) dedicated to the actuating element (6) where it pivots, a first bracing segment (12) dedicated to the base, and a second bracing segment (16) dedicated to a cover element (11) on the base (2), and a bearing segment (13) facing the constraining bolt (4) for moving the constraining bolt (4) axially in the receiving hole (3) in the base (2) in order to clamp and secure it in place, or to release it.

16. The constraining assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the bearing segment (13) on each lever element (7) bears on the corresponding bearing surface (15) on the constraining bolt (4), which is at a predetermined angle (ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3) to the longitudinal axis (14) thereof, in order to move the constraining bolt (4) axially in the receiving hole (3).

17. The constraining assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the circular actuating element (6) has numerous receivers (8) for the supporting segments (9) of the lever elements (7) distributed over its inner circumference.

18. The constraining assembly according to any of the claim 17, characterized in that the circular actuating element (6) has numerous receivers (10) for spring elements (17) distributed over its outer circumference, wherein the spring elements (17) are each braced at a first end in the receivers (10) in the actuating element (6) and at a second end in a receiver (18) on the cover element (11).

19. The constraining assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the circular actuating element (6) has numerous receivers (10) for spring elements (17) distributed over its outer circumference, wherein the spring elements (17) are each braced at a first end in the receivers (10) in the actuating element (6) and at a second end in a receiver (18) on the cover element (11).

20. The constraining assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the circular actuating element (6) has numerous receivers (10) for spring elements (17) distributed over its outer circumference, wherein the spring elements (17) are each braced at a first end in the receivers (10) in the actuating element (6) and at a second end in a receiver (18) on the cover element (11).

Description

[0022] The present invention shall be explained in greater detail below in reference to the drawings.

[0023] Therein:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one possible embodiment of a constraining assembly for a processing machine according to the invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a view from above of a base for the constraining assembly;

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a cutaway view illustrating the constraining assembly in the secured state, cut along the line A-A shown in FIG. 2;

[0027] FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view illustrating the constraining assembly in the released state, cut along the line A-A shown in FIG. 2;

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a three dimensional view illustrating the parts of a receiving space in the base, from below;

[0029] FIG. 6 shows a three dimensional view illustrating the parts of an actuating element for operating lever elements for securing or releasing a constraining bolt, from below;

[0030] FIG. 7 shows a three dimensional view illustrating the parts of a cover element for delimiting the receiving space in the base;

[0031] FIG. 8 shows a side view illustrating the parts of a lever element used in the constraining assembly;

[0032] FIG. 9 shows a three dimensional view illustrating the parts of the lever element used in the constraining assembly;

[0033] FIG. 10 shows a view illustrating the parts of a constraining bolt, in which a bearing surface is at a first, greater, blunt angle;

[0034] FIG. 11 shows a graph plotting an axial distance travelled by the constraining bolt in relation to an axial distance travelled by the actuating element with the first angle of the bearing surface;

[0035] FIG. 12 shows a view illustrating the parts of the constraining bolt, in which the bearing surface is at a second, medium angle;

[0036] FIG. 13 shows a graph plotting the axial distance travelled by the constraining bolt in relation to an axial distance travelled by the actuating element with the second angle of the bearing surface;

[0037] FIG. 14 shows a view illustrating the parts of the constraining bolt, in which the bearing surface is at a third, smaller, pointed angle; and

[0038] FIG. 15 shows a graph plotting the axial distance travelled by the constraining bolt in relation to an axial distance travelled by the actuating element with the third angle of the bearing surface;

[0039] Various illustrations of the constraining assembly for a processing machine are shown, merely by way of example, in FIGS. 1 to 15. The constraining assembly is attached to a processing machine 1, which is only indicated schematically. The processing machine, or machine tool 1, can be a lathe, milling machine, 3D printer, or robot, by way of example.

[0040] The constraining assembly has a plate-shaped circular base 2, with at least one receiving hole 3 and at least one bolt 4 for directly or indirectly constraining workpieces that are to be processed. The workpieces can be secured directly with the constraining bolt 4, or indirectly, for example, via a pallet support, a tool clamp, etc. on the constraining bolt 4.

[0041] The constraining bolt 4 is placed in the receiving hole 3 in the base 2 such that it can be removed therefrom. In order to secure the bolt 4 reliably and in a structurally simple manner, the base 2 has a receiving space 5 in which there is an actuating element 6 than can move axially, with which numerous lever elements 7 can be actuated to move the constraining bolt axially in the receiving space 5 in order to clamp and secure, or release, the constraining bolt 4.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the various parts of the constraining assembly, illustrating the various components of the constraining assembly, while FIG. 2 shows the base 4 of the constraining assembly from above.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows a cutaway view of the constraining assembly in the clamping, or secured state, cut along the line A-A in FIG. 2, in which the constraining bolt 4 is secured in the receiving hole 3 in the base 2 by the lever elements 7. Because a first end of the lever 7 is functionally connected to the actuating element 6 and a second end of each lever 7 acts on the constraining bolt 4 in the receiving hole 3, the constraining bolt 4 is held in place by the lever elements 7 via the actuating element 6 that is pretensioned by the helical spring elements 17, and secured in the receiving hole 3 in the base 2 of the constraining assembly.

[0044] The axial distance S2 travelled by the actuating element 6 in the receiving space 5 in the base 2 necessary for securing the bolt 4 is also indicated by way of example in FIG. 3. The axial distance S1 travelled by the constraining bolt 4 in the receiving hole 3 in the base 2 as a result of the axial distance S2 travelled by the actuating element 6 when the lever elements 7 clamp and secure the bolt in place is also indicated in FIG. 3 by way of example.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view cut through the constraining assembly along the line A-A in FIG. 2 when the constraining bolt 4 is not secured in place. A pressurized medium, e.g. pressurized air, is introduced into the receiving space 5 in the base 4 in order to move the constraining bolt 4 axially when it is not clamped or secured in place, such that the actuating element 6 is moved axially against the tension of the helical spring elements 17, thus pivoting the lever elements 7 and releasing the constraining bolt 4, such that the constraining bolt 4 can be removed from the receiving hole 3. After removing the pressurized air, the released constraining bolt 4 is basically automatically secured back in place by the tensioning forces generated by the helical spring elements 17.

[0046] The axial distance S2 travelled by the actuating element 6 in the receiving space 5 in the base 2 necessary for releasing the constraining bolt 4 is also indicated by way of example in FIG. 4. The axial distance S1 travelled by the constraining bolt 4 in the receiving space 3 in the base 2 as a result of the axial distance S2 travelled by the actuating element 6 when the lever elements 7 release the bolt is also indicated by way of example in FIG. 4.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows the individual parts of the base 2 from below, looking into the receiving space 5. The receiving space 5 in the base 2 is substantially circular, surrounding the central receiving hole 3. The actuating element 6 (not shown) can move axially in the circular receiving space 5.

[0048] The view illustrating the individual parts of the actuating element 6 shown in FIG. 6 shows that the actuating element 6 has a circular shape that fits into the circular receiving space 5. The circular or piston-shaped actuating element 6 that can move axially has numerous receivers 8 distributed over the internal circumference for the supporting segments 9 of the lever elements 7. The circular actuating element 6 also has numerous receivers 10 distributed over its outer circumference for the spring elements 17 that generate the pretension, each of which are braced at a first end in the receiver 10 on the actuating element 6 and at a second end on a receiver 18 in a cover element 11.

[0049] The individual parts of the cover element 11 are illustrated in FIG. 7, and the cover element 11 is secured to the bottom of the base 2 with screws, thus delimiting the receiving space 5 in the base 2.

[0050] The individual parts of the lever element 7 are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. It can be derived therefrom that each lever element 7 has a supporting segment 9 dedicated to the actuating element 6 on which it pivots, and a first bracing segment 12 dedicated to the base, where it is braced against the base 2, and a second bracing segment 16 dedicated to the cover element 11, where it is braced against the cover element 11. Each lever element 7 also has a bearing segment 13 dedicated to the constraining bolt 4, with which the constraining bolt 4 is moved in the receiving space 3 in the base 2 in order to clamp and secure it in place, or release it. The supporting segment 9 is at the first end of the lever element 7, and the first bracing segment 12 and second bracing segment 16, as well as the bearing segment 13 are at the second end of the lever element 7. The first end of each lever element 7 is therefore dedicated to the actuating element 6, and the second end of each lever element is dedicated to the constraining bolt 4 in the receiving hole 3. In this manner, a movement of the actuating element 6 results in a pivoting of the lever elements 7, and therefore an axial movement of the constraining bolt 4 in order for it to be clamped and secured in place, or released.

[0051] The individual parts of the separately claimed constraining bolt 4 are shown in FIGS. 10, 12, and 14. It can be derived therefrom that the constraining bolt 4 has a circumferential bearing surface 15 forming a step encompassing the constraining bolt 4. The bearing surface 15 is at different angles ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3 to the longitudinal axis of the constraining bolt 4 in each of the FIGS. 10, 12, 14. The bearing segment 13 of each lever element 7 acts on the bearing surface 15 in a functional connection thereto. In the associated graphs shown in FIGS. 11, 13, 15, the axial distance S1 travelled by the constraining bolt 4 in the receiving space 3 resulting from the predetermined angle ϕ1, ϕ2, ϕ3 is plotted in relation to the axial distance S2 travelled by the actuating element 6 when clamping and securing the constraining bolt 4 in place.

[0052] In FIG. 10, the bearing surface 15 is at a greater and blunter angle ϕ1 to the longitudinal axis 14 of the constraining bolt 4. It can be seen from the associated graph shown in FIG. 11 that the distance S1 that is travelled is shorter. This results in a stronger force acting on the constraining bolt 4 by the spring elements 7 in order to secure it in place.

[0053] In FIG. 12, the bearing surface 15 is slanted at a medium angle ϕ2 in relation to the longitudinal axis 14 of the constraining bolt 4. It can be seen from the associated graph shone in FIG. 13 that the constraining bolt 4 travels a medium distance S1, which is greater than that travelled with the first, blunter angle ϕ1. This results in a weaker force acting on the constraining bolt 4 by the lever elements 7 to secure it in place than with the first angle ϕ1 of the bearing surface 15.

[0054] In FIG. 14, the bearing surface 15 is slanted at a smaller, more pointed angle ϕ3 in relation to the longitudinal axis 14 of the constraining bolt 4. It can be seen from the associated graph shown in FIG. 15 that this results in the greatest axial distance travelled by the constraining bolt 4 in relation to the first angle ϕ1 and the second angle ϕ2. This results in the weakest force acting on the constraining bolt 4 by the lever elements 7 to secure it in place in relation to the first angle ϕ1 and second angle ϕ2 of the bearing surface 15.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0055] 1 processing machine [0056] 2 base [0057] 3 receiving hole [0058] 4 constraining bolt [0059] 5 receiving space [0060] 6 actuating element [0061] 7 lever element [0062] 8 receiver in the actuating element for a lever element [0063] 9 supporting segment of the lever element [0064] 10 receiver in the actuating element for a spring element [0065] 11 cover element [0066] 12 first bracing segment of the lever element [0067] 13 bearing segment of the lever element [0068] 14 longitudinal axis of the constraining bolt [0069] 15 bearing surface on the constraining bolt [0070] 16 second bracing segment of the lever element [0071] 17 spring element [0072] 18 receivers in the cover element for spring elements [0073] 19 constraining screw [0074] 20 O-ring [0075] ϕ1 first angle [0076] ϕ2 second angle [0077] ϕ3 third angle [0078] S1 axial distance travelled by the constraining bolt between securing and releasing [0079] S2 axial distance travelled by the actuating element between securing and releasing