ADAPTER ELEMENT FOR ATTACHING A DIE HOLDER TO A TOOL CLAMP

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp, in particular, for attaching a die holder to a joining clamp. The adapter element is characterized in that the adapter element comprises a mounting element and the mounting element is designed to arrange the die holder, the adapter element having mounting mechanisms, the mounting mechanisms being designed to arrange the adapter element on a connecting mechanism of a clamp bow of the tool clamp such that automatic attachment of the adapter element to the clamp bow and/or automatic release from the clamp bow is realized.

Claims

1. An adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp, comprising a mounting element designed to arrange the die holder and a mounting mechanism designed to arrange the adapter element on a connecting mechanism of a clamp bow of the tool clamp, with the result being that automatic attachment of the adapter element to the clamp bow and/or automatic release from the clamp bow are/is realized.

2. The adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adapter element is designed to realize automatic attachment of the adapter element, with the die holder arranged thereon, to the clamp bow and/or automatic release from the clamp bow.

3. The adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting element is designed as an element of a locating fit.

4. The adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adapter element has two mounting elements, and each mounting element is designed as an element of a locating fit.

5. The adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism comprises a mounting member present in the form of a locating bore and/or in the form of a locating pin.

6. The adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting mechanism of the clamp bow comprises a connecting point on the clamp bow and a locating pin that can be mounted onto the connecting point.

7. The adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adapter element comprises a mounting member, and the mounting member is designed to arrange the adapter element on a clamp bow of the tool clamp, wherein the adapter element has a mounting mechanism designed to arrange the die holder on the adapter element, with the result being that automatic attachment of the die holder to the adapter element and/or automatic release of the die holder from the adapter element are/is made possible.

8. The adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adapter element is designed in such a way that, with the adapter element in the arranged state on the clamp bow, automatic attachment of the die holder to the adapter element and/or automatic release of the die holder from the adapter element are/is made possible.

9. A die holder for attachment to a tool clamp, wherein the die holder is designed to arrange a die, wherein the die holder comprises an attachment mechanism for direct attachment of the die holder to a connecting mechanism of a clamp bow, wherein the attachment mechanism of the die holder has an attachment element designed to make possible automatic attachment and/or release of the die holder to/from the adapter element as claimed in claim 1.

10. A clamp bow of a tool clamp comprising a connecting point for direct attachment of a die holder to the clamp bow, wherein the clamp bow comprises a connecting mechanism designed to realize automatic attachment and/or release of the adapter element as claimed in claim 1 to/from the clamp bow.

11. A system having an adapter element as claimed in claim 1 and a die holder and a clamp bow.

12. A storage station for an adapter element as claimed in claim 1 for a die holder, wherein the storage station comprises a fixing member by means of which the adapter element and/or the die holder can be fixed at the storage station.

13. A tool clamp having an adapter element as claimed in claim 1 and a die holder and a clamp bow.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] An exemplary embodiment will be explained in more detail below on the basis of schematic drawings while specifying further details and advantages.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a top front lateral oblique perspective exploded illustration of an adapter element according to the present invention with die holder and die;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the adapter element according to FIG. 1 in the mounted state;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a top front lateral oblique perspective exploded illustration of the adapter element according to FIG. 1, connecting elements and a clamp bow;

[0038] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a plan view of a storage station for the adapter element in an open position and in a closed position; and

[0039] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a top front lateral oblique perspective view of the storage station according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an adapter element 1 according to the present invention, a die holder 2 and a die 3. The die holder 2 and the die 3 are advantageously designed in a known manner.

[0041] The die holder 2 comprises, for example, attachment mechanisms in the form of through-bores 4 to 7. The through-bores 4 to 7 can respectively be engaged by an attachment element 8 to 11.

[0042] Advantageously, the attachment elements 8 to 11 are designed in the form of locating pins or in the form of locating screws which each comprise an external thread 12 at a first end and a screw head 13 at a second end which is spaced apart from and opposite to the first end. Between the first and the second end, the attachment elements 8 to 11 advantageously comprise a cylindrical outer shape 14. As a result, the die 3 can be aligned relative to the adapter element 1 by way of the die holder 2.

[0043] In a known manner, the die holder 2 can be arranged, for example, fastened (not shown), to a standard connecting point 29, 30 of an, in particular known, clamp bow 31 by means of the attachment elements 8 to 11 which engage through the through-bores 4 to 7.

[0044] The adapter element 1 comprises mounting mechanisms in the form of, for example, four blind-hole bores 20 to 23, two mounting members in the form of locating bores 24, 25, two gripping members 26, 27 (one gripping member 26 shown in FIG. 1) and, for example, a clamping device 28 (see also FIG. 2).

[0045] The blind-hole bores 20 to 23 are designed, for example, to be identical. Advantageously, in each case two blind-hole bores 20 to 23 are present identically. Advantageously, each blind-hole bore 20 to 23 comprises an internal thread, with the result that the die holder 2 can be fastened to the adapter element 1 by means of the attachment elements 8 to 11. Preferably, the blind-hole bores 22, 23 comprise, in particular, in addition to the internal thread, a cylindrical receptacle which is designed as a counterpart to the outer shape 14 of the attachment elements 8 to 11, with the result that the cylindrical receptacle forms a locating fit with the outer shape 14.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a clamp bow 31 which has connecting points 29, 30. The connecting points 29, 30 are advantageously present as threaded bores. Connecting elements in the form of locating pins 32, 33 can be fastened to, for example, screwed into, the connecting points 29, 30. The locating pins 32, 33 advantageously have a cylindrical outer shape 34 which is tailored to a cylindrical inner shape of the locating bores 24, 25, with the result that a locating pin 32, 33 forms a locating fit with a locating bore 24, 25. In this way, the adapter element 1 can be aligned relative to the clamp bow 31. In the region of the cylindrical outer shape 34, a locating pin 32, 33 advantageously comprises a peripheral notch 15. Particularly as viewed in a cross section, the notch 15 is designed, for example, in the manner of a double cone or in the manner of a torus. For example, the notch 15 is present as a torus-like recess in the cylindrical outer shape 34.

[0047] The clamping device 28 advantageously comprises a clamping element 35, a spigot-like operating element 36, a spring element 37 and a securing member 38. The clamping element 35 is, for example, cylindrical in form. The clamping element 35 advantageously comprises an aperture 39 into which, with the clamping device 28 in the mounted state on the adapter element 1, a securing pin can be arranged in an engaging manner. The securing pin can advantageously be fastened, for example, plugged, on the aperture 39 in a projecting manner, with the result that the securing pin, in the state in which it is arranged on the adapter element, is guided in a slotted guide 41 of the adapter element 1. This realizes antirotational safeguarding of the clamping element 35.

[0048] The adapter element 1 comprises, for example, a through-bore 42 on which or into which the elements of the clamping device 28 can be inserted or arranged. The through-bore 42 is advantageously oriented transversely, in particular, perpendicularly, to the blind-hole bores 20 to 23 and/or to the locating bores 24, 25. The through-bore advantageously intersects the locating bores 24, 25, with the result that an element present in the through-bore can project into the locating bore 24, 25. The through-bore 42 advantageously comprises a stop against which the operating element 36 bears by way of a stop surface 43 on account of a spring force of the spring element 37 in the mounted state. If the operating element 36 bears by way of its stop surface 43 against the stop of the through-bore 42, an end 44 of the operating element is flush or at least approximately flush with an opening surface 45 of the through-bore 42. Advantageously, the operating element 36 in the bearing state against the stop of the through-bore does not project beyond an outer surface 46 of the adapter element 1.

[0049] The securing member 38 is, in the arranged state, screwed to the adapter element 1 (see also FIG. 2). The securing member 38 is advantageously present in such a way that, in the mounted state of the clamping device 28, the securing member 38 fixes remaining elements relative to the adapter element 1. In this way, the securing member 38 forms a stop surface for the spring element 37 in the mounted state on the adapter element 1. The spring element 37 is designed, for example, as a helical spring. The clamping element 35 comprises, in addition to its cylindrical basic body 47, a pin-like guide element 48 which extends in a cylinder axis of the basic body 47. In the arranged state, the guide element 48 is advantageously guided within the spring element 37. As a result, in the state in which the clamping device 28 is arranged on the adapter element 1, the guide element 48 is movable counter to the spring force of the spring element 37 along a longitudinal axis and/or axis of symmetry of the through-bore 42.

[0050] In the state in which the operating element 36 bears against the stop of the through-opening 42, the clamping element 35 bears by way of its end face 49 against the operating element 36, with the result that the clamping element 35 has part of its basic body 47 projecting into the locating bores 24, 25. As a result, in the state in which the adapter element 1 is arranged on the clamp bow 31, the clamping device 28 can clamp the adapter element 1 to the locating pins 32, 33, in particular, in a positionally accurate manner.

[0051] Release of the adapter element 1 from the clamp bow 31 in the arranged state is achieved by virtue of the fact that cutouts 50 are formed on the basic body 47 of the clamping element 35. The cutouts 50 are advantageously cylindrical. Preferably, a cutout surface of the cutout 50 corresponds to a partial surface of the cylindrical inner shape of the locating bore 24, 25. If an external element is now pressed counter to the spring force of the spring element 37 through the opening surface 45 onto the end 44 of the operating element 36, the clamping element 35 can be moved in the direction of the securing member 38, with the result that the cutout 50 advantageously comes to bear flush with the cylindrical inner shape of the locating bore 24, 25. This results in the locating pin 32, 33 in the locating bore 24, 25 being freed, with the result that the adapter element 1 can be moved away from, for example, removed from, the clamp bow 31 in the direction of an extent of an axis of symmetry of a locating bore 24, 25.

[0052] The adapter element 1 additionally advantageously comprises, in particular, on a gripping member 26, a fixing element 51. The fixing element 51 is designed, for example, as a blind hole. The fixing element 51, in particular, the blind hole, advantageously an axis of symmetry of the fixing element 51, extends, for example, transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the axis of symmetry of the through-bore 42 and transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the axis of symmetry of the locating bores 24, 25.

[0053] The gripping member 26 is designed, for example, as an, in particular, linearly extending, notch. The notch is, for example, V-shaped.

[0054] FIGS. 4 to 7 show a storage station 52 according to the present invention. The storage station 52 comprises gripping elements 53 which are advantageously designed in the manner of rails. In the state in which the adapter element 1 is arranged on the storage station 52, the gripping elements 53 advantageously engage in the gripping members 26, 27 of the adapter element 1. Furthermore, the storage station 52 comprises pin-like fixing members 54, 55 by means of which the adapter element 1, in the state in which it is arranged on the storage station 52, can be fixed in a positionally fixed manner. The storage station 52 also comprises a distance sensor 56, a clamp bow detector 57 and an engagement element 58.

[0055] The way in which the adapter element 1 is deposited at the storage station 52 is as follows:

[0056] In a first step, the clamp bow 31 with the adapter element 1 travels up to the storage station 52. Here, the clamp bow 31 can advantageously be moved by means of a robot arm (not shown), whereas the storage station 52 is arranged in a positionally fixed manner. As it approaches, the adapter element 1 is pushed by the gripping members onto the gripping elements 53. Here, the distance sensor 56 detects a distance of the adapter element 1 from the sensor on the one hand, and the clamp bow detector 57 detects a presence of the clamp bow 31 on the other hand. Here, the adapter element 1 is pushed onto the gripping elements 53 by means of the clamp bow 31 or the robot arm, for example, up to a stop, with the result that the engagement element 58 comes to bear with the end 44 of the operating element 36 and presses in the operating element 36. This results in the clamping element 35 freeing the locating pins 32, 33 of the clamp bow 1.

[0057] Then, the storage station 52, by means of the fixing members 54, 55, locks the adapter element 1 on the storage station 52 by virtue of the fixing members 54, 55 being moved by means of a movement device 59 into an engaging, and thus locking, position with the fixing element 51 of the adapter element 1. The fixing members 54, 55 of the storage station 52 are illustrated in an unlocked position in FIGS. 5 and 7 and in the locked position in FIGS. 4 and 6.

[0058] If the adapter element 1 is locked on the storage station 52, the clamp bow 31 then moves downward, in the direction of the axis of symmetry of the locating bores 24, 25, with the result that the locating pins 32, 33 are moved out of the locating bores 24, 25. As a result, the clamp bow 31 is free to receive a further adapter element 1 with an identical or different die holder arranged thereon and/or an identical or different die arranged thereon.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0059] 1 Adapter element [0060] 2 Die holder [0061] 3 Die [0062] 4 Through-bore [0063] 5 Through-bore [0064] 6 Through-bore [0065] 7 Through-bore [0066] 8 Attachment element [0067] 9 Attachment element [0068] 10 Attachment element [0069] 11 Attachment element [0070] 12 External thread [0071] 13 Screw head [0072] 14 Outer shape [0073] 15 Notch [0074] 20 Blind-hole bore [0075] 21 Blind-hole bore [0076] 22 Blind-hole bore [0077] 23 Blind-hole bore [0078] 24 Locating bore [0079] 25 Locating bore [0080] 26 Gripping member [0081] 27 Gripping member [0082] 28 Clamping device [0083] 29 Connecting point [0084] 30 Connecting point [0085] 31 Clamp bow [0086] 32 Locating pin [0087] 33 Locating pin [0088] 34 Outer shape [0089] 35 Clamping element [0090] 36 Operating element [0091] 37 Spring element [0092] 38 Securing member [0093] 39 Aperture [0094] 41 Slotted guide [0095] 42 Through-bore [0096] 43 Stop surface [0097] 44 End [0098] 45 Opening surface [0099] 46 Outer surface [0100] 47 Basic body [0101] 48 Guide element [0102] 49 End face [0103] 50 Cutout [0104] 51 Fixing element [0105] 52 Storage station [0106] 53 Gripping elements [0107] 54 Fixing member [0108] 55 Fixing member [0109] 56 Distance sensor [0110] 57 Clamp bow detector [0111] 58 Engagement element [0112] 59 Movement device