CLAMPING DEVICE FOR CLAMPING AN ARTICLE, BALANCING ADAPTER FOR A BALANCING DEVICE, BALANCING DEVICE AND CLAMPING DEVICE SET

Abstract

A clamping device for clamping an article or workpiece to be balanced includes a clamping apparatus for clamping the article. The clamping apparatus has an adjusting device for adjusting the clamping diameter of a clamping body of the clamping apparatus for clamping the article on a placement surface. The clamping body has a disk-shaped spring element sprung in radial direction with a centrally disposed clearance forming at least one spring element cone. The clamping body also has a clamping element inserted into the clearance and having at least one corresponding clamping element cone. The adjusting device has an actuating device for displacing the clamping element relative to the spring element, for moving the cone surfaces of the clamping element cone and the spring element cone relative to one another and for consequently clamping and/or unclamping the spring element in radial direction by the cone surfaces.

Claims

1. A clamping device for clamping an article or a workpiece to be balanced, the clamping device comprising: a clamping apparatus for clamping the article, said clamping apparatus including a clamping body and an adjusting device for adjusting a clamping diameter of said clamping body for clamping the article; said clamping body having a disk-shaped spring element being sprung in a radial direction and having a centrally disposed clearance forming at least one spring element cone; said clamping body having a clamping element being inserted into said clearance of said spring element and having at least one clamping element cone corresponding to said spring element cone; and said adjusting device having an actuating device for displacing said clamping element relative to said spring element causing cone surfaces of said clamping element cone and of said spring element cone to move relative to one another and consequently causing said spring element to be at least one of clamped or unclamped in the radial direction by said cone surfaces.

2. The clamping device according to claim 1, which further comprises at least one placement surface on which the article is placed for clamping, said clamping body being a clamping disk, and said actuating device displacing said clamping element relative to said spring element in an axial direction of said clamping disk.

3. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping element and said spring element form an assembly unit.

4. The clamping device according to claim 3, wherein said assembly unit is formed as a disk.

5. The clamping device according to claim 3, wherein said assembly unit is configured to be disposed in a plurality of rotary positions, said plurality of rotary positions include a first rotary position in which a first main surface wall of said spring element is in engagement or in surface engagement with a defined engagement wall region, and said plurality of rotary positions include a second rotary position in which a second main surface wall of said spring element is in engagement or in surface engagement with said defined engagement wall region.

6. The clamping device according to claim 5, wherein said actuating device has an actuating element being at least one of rod-shaped or cylinder-shaped, being displaceable between a starting position and an end position and being couplable to said clamping element of said clamping body causing said actuating element to displace said clamping element upon a displacement between said starting position and said end position.

7. The clamping device according to claim 6, wherein: when said assembly unit is disposed in said second rotary position, said spring element is configured to be pressed open radially outwardly by displacement of said actuating element coupled to said clamping element from said end position into said starting position by said cone surfaces; and when said assembly unit is fixed in said first rotary position, said spring element is configured to be drawn together radially inwardly by displacement of said actuating element coupled to said clamping element from said end position into said starting position by said cone surfaces.

8. The clamping device according to claim 6, wherein said rod-shaped actuating element and said clamping element are connectable to one another in at least one of a manner preventing inappropriate turning or in a releasable manner.

9. The clamping device according to claim 8, wherein said rod-shaped actuating element has an end region with at least one of an unround or a polygonal cross section with which said actuating element can be disposed in a contour-adapted manner in at least one corresponding clearance of said clamping element.

10. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein said cone of at least one of said clamping element or said spring element has a cone angle lying in a range of from 1 to 20.

11. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping element and said spring element are connected to one another in a fixed or a releasable manner by at least one of a gripping-behind connection or a surface-engaging connection.

12. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein said spring element has rail holders, said clamping element has a central region and a plurality of guiding rails protruding outwardly from said central region, and each guiding rail lies in a contour-adapted manner in a respective one of said rail holders forming a gripping-behind engagement.

13. The clamping device according to claim 12, wherein said central region is at least one of a cylindrical or a conical central region, and each guiding rail has a T-shaped cross-section.

14. The clamping device according to claim 13, wherein: said spring element has wall regions; each of said guiding rails has a T-shaped cross-section with a T base connected to said central region of said clamping element and a T top; said T top has wall regions facing away from said central region of said clamping element forming an outer cone of said clamping element and being in surface engagement or configured to be brought into surface engagement with some of said wall regions of said spring element forming an inner cone; and said T top has wall regions facing toward said central region of said clamping element forming an inner cone of said clamping element and being in surface engagement or configured to brought into surface engagement with others of said wall regions of said spring element forming an outer cone.

15. The clamping device according to claim 14, wherein said guiding rails have at least one of: at least one of a cuboid or block shape of said T tops, or planar or arcuately curved surfaces of said cone surfaces forming said outer cone and said inner cone.

16. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein: said clamping body is a clamping disk; said disk-shaped spring element has a plurality of spring portions uniformly distributed in circumferential direction, said spring portions permitting said spring element to be sprung in radial direction; and said spring element has disk portions disposed between said spring portions and interconnected by said spring portions in circumferential direction of said clamping disk.

17. The clamping device according to claim 16, wherein said spring portions are formed by thin-walled webs of said spring element having at least one of a substantially wave-shape or meander-shape or arcuate or V-shaped profile in a plan view of said spring element.

18. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping body has a disk-shaped adapter element being sprung in radial direction, and formed as a clamping disk, said adapter element has a centrally disposed clearance in which said spring element of said clamping disk is inserted, and said adapter element has at least one clamping surface for clamping the article.

19. The clamping device according to claim 18, wherein said adapter element has a placement surface for placement of the workpiece to be balanced, and said adapter element has a clamping base or a cylindrical clamping base protruding from said placement surface in axial direction of said clamping disk, being disposed inside said placement surface and having wall regions facing toward said placement surface forming clamping surfaces for clamping the article.

20. The clamping device according to claim 18, wherein said adapter element has a placement surface for placement of the workpiece to be balanced, and said adapter element has a plurality of clamping webs or thin-walled clamping webs protruding from said placement surface in axial direction of said clamping disk, being disposed outside said placement surface and having wall regions facing toward said placement surface form clamping surfaces for clamping the article.

21. The clamping device according to claim 1, wherein said clamping body has a plurality of adapter elements formed as blocks connected to said spring element, and each of said adapter elements has at least one clamping surface for clamping an article.

22. The clamping device according to claim 21, wherein each of said adapter elements is connected to said spring element by at least one of a gripping-behind connection or an engaging or surface-engaging connection.

23. The clamping device according to claim 1, which further comprises a base body, and a fixing device fixing said clamping body on said base body.

24. The clamping device according to claim 23, wherein said spring element has at least one wall region, said clamping body has an adapter element with at least one wall region, and said fixing device has a fixing element with a clamping ring being engaged or configured to be brought into engagement or surface engagement with said at least one wall region of at least one of said spring element or of said adapter element facing away from said base body, said fixing element having a plurality of engaging webs or cylindrical engaging webs protruding from said clamping ring and engaging in a contour-adapted manner in corresponding clearances of at least one of said spring element or said adapter element.

25. A balancing adapter for a balancing device, the balancing adapter comprising a clamping device according to claim 1.

26. A balancing device, comprising: a balancing adapter having a clamping device according to claim 1; and a base station having a balancing adapter holder for holding said balancing adapter, said base station having a rotary drive device for a rotary drive of at least one of said held balancing adapter or at least part of a drive device for a displacement or linear displacement of said clamping element relative to said spring element.

27. A clamping device set, comprising: a base body, a spring element, a clamping element and a plurality of adapter elements, said spring element, said clamping element and at least one of said adapter elements configured to be connected to form a clamping body; a fixing device for fixing said clamping body on said base body; said spring element being formed as a disk, being sprung in radial direction and having a centrally disposed clearance forming at least one spring element cone; said clamping element being insertable into said clearance of said spring element and having at least one clamping element cone corresponding to said spring element cone; and each of said adapter elements configured to be connected to said spring element, each of said adapter elements having at least one clamping surface for clamping an article, and at least some of said adapter elements differing at least in at least one of a configuration or construction of said at least one clamping surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0046] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a balancing adapter with a clamping device according to the invention;

[0047] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal-sectional view taken along the sectional plane A-A of FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a spring element of the balancing adapter;

[0049] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the spring element;

[0050] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the clamping element;

[0051] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the clamping element;

[0052] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an adapter element of the balancing adapter;

[0053] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the adapter element;

[0054] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of a balancing adapter with a clamping device according to the invention in a view according to FIG. 2;

[0055] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an adapter element of the balancing adapter;

[0056] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the adapter element;

[0057] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a balancing adapter with a clamping device according to the invention;

[0058] FIG. 13 is a top-plan view of part of the balancing adapter;

[0059] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an adapter element of the balancing adapter;

[0060] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a balancing adapter with a clamping device according to the invention;

[0061] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an adapter element of the balancing adapter;

[0062] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a balancing adapter with a clamping device according to the invention; and

[0063] FIG. 18 is a longitudinal-sectional view taken along the sectional plane B-B of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a first exemplary embodiment of a balancing adapter 1 with a clamping device according to the invention. The balancing adapter 1 has a fixing region 3, with which the balancing adapter 1 can be fixed on a fixed base station 5 indicated in FIG. 2 by dashed lines. The balancing adapter 1 forms together with the base station 5 a balancing device 7, through the use of which workpieces can be balanced.

[0065] The base station 5 has a drive spindle 9, likewise indicated in this case by dashed lines, with a balancing adapter holder 11, in which the balancing adapter 1 can be disposed with its fixing region 3. The drive spindle 9 is a component part of a drive device (not shown any further herein) of the base station 5 for a rotary drive of the balancing adapter 1. Moreover, in the case of the representation shown in FIG. 2, a workpiece 13 to be balanced is clamped in the balancing adapter 1.

[0066] As FIG. 2 further reveals, the balancing adapter 1 has an adapter base body 15, which includes the fixing region 3. The adapter base body 15 has a substantially rotationally symmetrical first housing body 17, which is connected by way of screw connections 19 to a second, likewise substantially rotationally symmetrical housing body 21 of the adapter base body 15, which is disposed under the housing body 17 or on a side of the housing body 17 that is facing toward a placement surface of the base station 5. Moreover, the housing body 17 is connected at an upper region to a disk body 23, which protrudes outwardly from the housing body 17 and forms a flat support 136 of the adapter base body 15.

[0067] Furthermore, the balancing adapter 1 also has a clamping apparatus 25 for the clamping of a workpiece to be balanced. The clamping apparatus 25 has a clamping body 27, which is formed as a clamping disk and the clamping diameter d of which (FIG. 8) can be adjusted, in order to be able to clamp a workpiece placed on placement surfaces 29 (FIG. 8) of the clamping disk 27. The clamping disk 27 is formed in this case in three parts and has a spring element 31, a clamping element 33 and an adapter element 35.

[0068] According to FIGS. 3 and 4, the spring element 31 is formed as a disk. Moreover, the spring element 31 has multiple, in this case by way of example three, spring portions 39 disposed uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction U, through the use of which the spring element 31 can be sprung in the radial direction r. Specifically, the spring regions 39 are formed in this case by thin-walled webs 41 of the spring element 31, which, in the plan view of the spring element 31 shown in FIG. 4, have a substantially V-shaped profile. By way of the spring portions 39 or by way of the webs 41, seen in the circumferential direction U, disk portions 43 of the spring element 39 that are disposed between the webs 41 are connected to one another. As a result, the spring element 31 has defined spring properties in the radial direction r. Furthermore, the spring element 31 has at a central region, seen in the radial direction r, a clearance 37, into which the clamping element 33 can be inserted.

[0069] As FIGS. 5 and 6 reveal, the clamping element 33 has a central region 45, which in this case by way of example is cylindrical, and multiple, in this case by way of example three, guiding rails 47, protruding outwardly from the cylindrical region 45. In this case, each guiding rail 47 is by way of example cross-sectionally T-shaped. Through the use of these guiding rails 47, the clamping element 33 can be connected to the spring element 31. In this case, the guiding rails 47 are disposed in this case uniformly distributed around the central region 45, seen in the circumferential direction U.

[0070] According to FIGS. 5 and 6, each cross-sectionally T-shaped guiding rail 47 is connected in this case by a T base 51 or by a free end of the T base 51 to the central region 45 of the clamping element 33. The T base 51 protrudes in this case in the radial direction r from the cylindrical central region 45 of the clamping element 33. A T top 55 of the guiding rails 47 is also formed as a cuboid and at a distance from the central region 45 of the clamping element 33.

[0071] In the connected state of the clamping element 33 and the spring element 31, the guiding rails 47 engage in a contour-adapted manner in corresponding rail holders 49 of the spring element 31, with the formation of a gripping-behind engagement. In this case, the guiding rails 47 and the rail holders 49 are in this case formed in such a way that the clamping element 33 can be displaced in relation to the spring element 31 in the axial direction of the clamping disk or in the longitudinal axial direction x. Seen in the circumferential direction U, wall regions of the clamping element 33 between the guiding rails 47 are also at a distance in this case from the spring element 31.

[0072] What is more, the wall regions 53 of the T top 55 of the guiding rails 47 that are facing away from the central region 45 of the clamping element 33 form an outer cone of the clamping element 33. In this case, the wall regions 53 can be brought into surface engagement with wall regions 57 of the spring element 31 that form an inner cone. Moreover, the wall regions 59 of the T top 55 of the guiding rails 47 that are facing toward the central region 45 of the clamping element 33 form an inner cone of the clamping element 33. These wall regions 59 can be brought into surface engagement with wall regions 61 of the spring element 31 that form an outer cone. In this case, the cones of the clamping element 33 and of the spring element 31 have in this case a cone angle a (FIG. 2) between a cone surface and the longitudinal axis x which lies in a range from 1 to 20.

[0073] Due to this construction of the guiding rails 47 and the rail holders 49, when there is a displacement of the clamping element 33 in relation to the spring element 31 in a first axial direction, the spring element 31 is pressed open or spread open in the radial direction r by the clamping element 33, so that the diameter of the spring element 31 is increased. On the other hand, when there is a displacement of the clamping element 33 in relation to the spring element 31 in an opposite second axial direction, the spring element 31 is drawn together in the radial direction r by the clamping element 33, so that the diameter of the spring element 31 is reduced.

[0074] What is more, the cone surfaces of the guiding rails 47 and of the rail holders 49 are formed in this case as planar surfaces. Alternatively, it would also be possible to form the cone surfaces of the T top as arcuately curved. Furthermore, in this case, each rail holder 49 of the spring element 31 has two wall regions 57, which are at a distance from one another, seen in the circumferential direction U, and with which the spring element 31 is in engagement with the wall region 53 of the respective guiding rail 47. Seen in the circumferential direction U, between these wall regions 57 at a distance from one another, each rail holder 49 has a depression 63 in the radially outward direction. As a result, the displacement of the clamping element 33 in relation to the spring element 33 is made easier.

[0075] The spring element 31 and the clamping element 33 form an assembly unit 65. This assembly unit 65 can be releasably connected to the adapter element 35 to form the clamping disk 27.

[0076] According to FIGS. 7 and 8, the adapter element 35 is likewise formed as a disk. Moreover, the adapter element 35 has multiple spring portions 67 disposed uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction U, through the use of which the adapter element 35 can be sprung in the radial direction r. Specifically, the spring portions 67 are formed in this case by thin-walled webs 69 of the adapter element 35, which, in the plan view of the adapter element 35 shown in FIG. 8, have a substantially V-shaped profile. As seen in the circumferential direction U, disk portions 71 of the adapter element 35 that are disposed between the webs 69 are connected to one another by way of the spring portions 67 or by way of the webs 69. Consequently, as a result of the webs 69, the adapter element 35 has defined spring properties in the radial direction r.

[0077] Furthermore, the adapter element 35 also has a central clearance 73, seen in the radial direction r, into which the spring element 31 or the assembly unit 65 can be inserted. For the releasable connection of the adapter element 35 to the spring element 31, the adapter element 35 has multiple, in this case by way of example three, webs 75 engaging in the clearance 73. In this case, each engaging web 75 is by way of example cross-sectionally T-shaped. Moreover, the webs 75 are disposed uniformly distributed, seen in the circumferential direction U.

[0078] In the connected state of the adapter element 35 and the spring element 31, the webs 75 are disposed in a contour-adapted manner in corresponding web holders 77 of the spring element 31, with the formation of a gripping-behind engagement. In this case, both the webs 75 and the wall regions 79 of the adapter element 35 that are located between the webs 75, seen in the circumferential direction U, and outwardly delimit the clearance 73 can be in surface engagement in this case with the spring element 31 inserted in the clearance 73.

[0079] As FIGS. 7 and 8 also reveal, the adapter element 35 has the placement surface 29 of the balancing adapter 1 for the placement of a workpiece to be balanced. Moreover, the adapter element 35 also has multiple thin-walled clamping webs 81, which protrude from the placement surface 29 in the axial direction x and are disposed radially outside the placement surface 29. The wall regions 83 of the clamping webs 81 that are facing toward the placement surface 29, or radially inner wall regions, in this case form the clamping surfaces for the clamping of a workpiece to be balanced, and consequently also the clamping diameter d of the clamping disk 27. The clamping webs 81 have an arcuate profile in this case, seen in the plan view of the adapter element 35 shown in FIG. 8. Moreover, the clamping webs 81 are at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction, wherein each disk portion 71 is assigned a clamping web 81.

[0080] A workpiece to be balanced can be clamped from the outside through the use of the adapter element 35. For this purpose, in the assembled state of the clamping disk 27, when there is a displacement of the clamping element 33 in relation to the spring element 31 in a first axial direction, the adapter element 35 and the spring element 31 are drawn together in the radial direction r, so that the clamping diameter d is reduced. For releasing a clamped workpiece, the clamping element 33 is displaced in an opposite second axial direction in relation to the spring element 31. As a result, the spring element 31 and the adapter element 35 are pressed open in the radial direction r by the clamping element 31, so that the clamping diameter d is increased.

[0081] What is more, it is also the case in this regard that the clamping element 33 of the clamping disk 27 can be connected to an actuating element 85 (FIG. 2), in this case by way of example in the form of a rod, of an actuating device 87 of the balancing adapter 1 in a releasable manner and in a manner preventing inappropriate turning by a screw connection. For this purpose, an end region 89 of the rod-shaped actuating element 85 has an unround, in this case by way of example polygonal, cross section, with which the actuating element can be disposed in a contour-adapted manner in two identical clearances 91, 93 (FIG. 5) on the central region 45 of the clamping element 33. The clearances 91, 93 are disposed in this case on opposite sides, seen in the axial direction x of the clamping disk, of the central region 45 and are at a distance from one another in the axial direction x. As seen in the axial direction x, between the clearances 91, 93, the central region 45 also has in this case an annular shoulder 95, which protrudes radially inwardly and has an internal thread. A screw 97 may be passed through the clearances 91, 93 and the constricted region lying in between and be screwed into a threaded bore on the end face of the rod-shaped actuating element 85.

[0082] In order to connect the clamping element 33 to the actuating element 85, consequently first the actuating element 85 is inserted by the end region 89 into one of the clearances 91, 93. Subsequently, the screw 97 is passed through the opposite clearance 91, 93 and the constricted region and is screwed into the threaded bore, until it lies with its screw head against the annular shoulder 95.

[0083] Through the use of the internal thread of the annular shoulder 95, the release of the connection of the clamping element 33 and the actuating element 85 is made easier, in that a screw can be screwed in in this case, through the use of which the clamping element 33 can be pressed away from the actuating element 85.

[0084] Due to this construction of the clamping element 33 with the two clearances 91, 93, it is possible to place the assembly unit 65 in two rotary positions on the balancing adapter 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the assembly unit 65 can be disposed in a first rotary position, in which a first main surface wall 101 (FIG. 3) of the spring element 31 is in engagement with a defined engagement wall region 103 (FIG. 2) of the adapter base body 15 of the balancing adapter 1. Moreover, the assembly unit 65 may also be disposed in a second rotary position, in which a second main surface wall 105 (FIG. 3) of the spring element 31 is in engagement with the defined engagement wall region 103. In each of these rotary positions, the assembly unit 65 can be connected or coupled to the actuating element 85 by way of the clamping element 33.

[0085] As is further shown in FIG. 2, the clamping disk 27 may also be fixed on the adapter base body 15 of the balancing adapter 1 by a fixing device 107 (FIG. 2). The fixing device 107 has a fixing element 109 with a clamping ring 111, which in the assembled state of the balancing adapter 1 is in surface engagement with the wall regions 112 (FIG. 8) of the adapter element 35 that are facing away from the adapter base body 15 or forms a narrow gap therewith. Moreover, the fixing element 109 has multiple, in this case by way of example three, cylindrical engaging webs 113 (FIG. 2), which protrude axially from the clamping ring 111 and engage in corresponding clearances 114 (FIG. 8) of the adapter element 35. Due to the engaging webs 113, the fixing element 109 is also releasably connected to the adapter base body 15. In this case, a screw 115 is passed in this case through each engaging web 113 and is screwed into a corresponding threaded bore of the first housing body 17.

[0086] As FIG. 2 further reveals, the rod-shaped actuating element 85 is guided in a linearly displaceable manner in cylindrical clearances 117, 119 of the first and second housing bodies 17, 21, with ball guides, in particular ball cages, interposed. In this case, the actuating element 85 has a first cylindrical portion, with which the actuating element is guided in the first housing body 17. Moreover, the actuating element 85 has also a second cylindrical portion with a reduced cross section, with which the actuating element is guided in the second housing body 21. Through the use of the ball guides, a centering of the linearly displaceable actuating element 85 and of the clamping disk 27 with respect to the cylindrical clearances 117, 119, and consequently the housing bodies 17, 21, is in this case realized.

[0087] Furthermore, the rod-shaped actuating element 85 is connected in this case by an end region 121 to a piston 123 of the adapter base body 15 disposed under the second housing body 21 in a manner preventing inappropriate turning. The piston 123 is part of a cylinder-piston unit of the balancing device 7 that is operated by compressed air and forms a drive device or an actuator for the linear displacement of the actuating element 85, and consequently also of the clamping element 33 of the balancing adapter 1 coupled thereto. The further components of this drive device are component parts of the base station 5 of the balancing device 7. Also disposed in this case between the piston 123 and the housing body 21 are compression springs 99, which bring about an axial preloading of the piston 123 downwardly away from the housing body 21.

[0088] Specifically, the actuating element 85 is connected in this case to the piston 123 by a screw connection, wherein a screw 134 is passed through an axially continuous clearance of the piston 123 and is screwed into a threaded bore at the end face of the actuating element 85. The end region 121 of the actuating element 85 also has in this case circumferential clearances into which cylindrical pins 135 of the piston 123 engage in a contour-adapted manner, so that inappropriate turning of the actuating element 85 in relation to the piston 123 is prevented.

[0089] Furthermore, the rod-shaped actuating element 85 can be linearly displaced by the piston 123 between a starting position and an end position. In FIG. 2, the actuating element 85 is in this case disposed in a clamping position between the starting position and the end position. In the end position, the actuating element 85 has been displaced in the upward direction in comparison with the starting position. In the assembled state of the balancing adapter 1, displacement of the actuating element 85 has the effect that the clamping element 33 of the clamping disk 27 that is coupled to the actuating element 85 is also displaced, and consequently the clamping element 33 is displaced in relation to the spring element 31.

[0090] In the case of the configuration of the assembly unit 65 shown in FIG. 2, in which the main surface wall 101 of the spring element 31 is in engagement with the adapter base body 15, the spring element 31 is pressed open radially outwardly by displacement of the actuating element 65 coupled to the clamping element 31 from the starting position into the end position upwardly under the effect of the cone surfaces. Through the use of the spring element 31, the adapter element 35 connected to the spring element 31 is also pressed open outwardly by the clamping webs 81. In this case, the spring element 31, loaded in the radial direction r, and the adapter element 35, likewise loaded in the radial direction r, relax. Consequently, when there is such a displacement of the actuating element 85, the clamping diameter d can be increased and a clamped workpiece can be released. On the other hand, by opposite displacement of the actuating element 85 downwardly from the end position into the starting position, the spring element 31 is drawn together in this case radially inwardly. Due to the spring element 31, the adapter element 35 connected to the spring element 31 is then also drawn together inwardly by the clamping webs 81. In this case, the spring element 31 and the adapter element 35 are loaded in the radial direction. As a result, when there is such a displacement of the actuating element 85, the clamping diameter d can be reduced and a workpiece can be clamped from the outside.

[0091] There follows once again a more detailed explanation of the assembly of the balancing adapter 1. First, the assembly unit 65, which is formed of the spring element 31 and the clamping element 33, is in this case connected to the rod-shaped actuating element 85 of the adapter base body 15. Subsequently, the adapter element 35, having the clamping webs 81, is connected to the assembly unit 65 to form the clamping disk 27. Finally, the clamping disk 27 is then also fastened by the fixing device 107 on the adapter base body 15 of the balancing adapter 1.

[0092] In FIGS. 9 to 11, a second embodiment of a balancing adapter 125 with a clamping device according to the invention is shown. In comparison with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in this case the balancing adapter 125 does not have an adapter element 35, but an adapter element 127. In comparison with the adapter element 35, the adapter element 127 does not have any clamping webs 81. Instead, the adapter element 127 has a cylindrical clamping base 131, which protrudes from a placement surface 129 of the adapter element 127 in the axial direction x, is disposed radially inside the placement surface 129 and the wall regions 133 of which that are facing toward the placement surface 129 form the clamping surfaces for the clamping of a workpiece to be balanced. Consequently, in this case workpieces can be clamped from the inside by the adapter element 127.

[0093] Moreover, in the assembled state of the balancing adapter 125 shown in FIG. 9, the assembly unit is disposed in a rotary position turned by 180, so that in this case the spring element 31 is in engagement by the main surface wall 105 with the engagement wall region 103 of the adapter base body 15. Consequently, the spring element 31 is drawn together radially inwardly in this case by displacement of the actuating element 85 coupled to the clamping element 33 from the starting position into the end position, shown in FIG. 9, upwardly under the effect of the cone surfaces. Due to the spring element 31, the adapter element 127 connected to the spring element 31 is also drawn together inwardly. In this case, the spring element 31, loaded in the radial direction r, and the adapter element 35, likewise loaded in the radial direction r, relax. Consequently, it is also the case in this case that when there is such a displacement of the actuating element 85, the clamping diameter d can be reduced and a clamped workpiece released.

[0094] On the other hand, by an opposite displacement of the actuating element 85 downwardly from the end position into the starting position, the spring element 31 is pressed open in this case radially outwardly under the effect of the cone surfaces. Due to the spring element 31, the adapter element 127 connected to the spring element 31 is then also pressed open outwardly by the clamping base 131. In this case, the spring element 31 and the adapter element 35 are loaded in the radial direction r. As a result, when there is such a displacement of the actuating element 85, the clamping diameter d can be increased and a workpiece clamped from the inside.

[0095] In FIGS. 12 to 14, a third embodiment of a balancing adapter 137 with a clamping device according to the invention is shown. In comparison with the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the balancing adapter 137 has a clamping body 138. The clamping body 138 does not have a disk-shaped adapter element 35, but multiple, in this case by way of example three, adapter elements 139 in the form of blocks. Each adapter element 139 is connected to the spring element 31 of the clamping body 138 and has a clamping surface 141 for the clamping of a workpiece. In this case, the adapter elements 139 are disposed uniformly distributed around the disk-shaped spring element 31.

[0096] In order to connect the respective adapter element 139 to the spring element 31, each adapter element 139 has a protruding web 143 (FIG. 14), which in this case by way of example is cross-sectionally T-shaped. In the connected state of the respective adapter element 139 and the spring element 31, the web 143 is disposed in a contour-adapted manner in one of the web holders 77 of the spring element 31, with the formation of a gripping-behind engagement. In this case, both the web 143 and the wall regions 144 of the respective adapter element 139 that are laterally adjacent the web 143 and are facing toward the spring element 31 can be in this case in surface engagement with the spring element 31. The lateral wall regions 144 are in this case formed in a contour-adapted manner in relation to corresponding outer wall regions of the spring element 31.

[0097] As FIG. 12 further reveals, the housing body 17 is connected in this case at an upper region to a disk body 145 of the balancing adapter 137, which protrudes outwardly from the housing body 17. In this case, the disk body 145 forms a placement surface 147 of the balancing adapter 137 for the placement of a workpiece to be balanced. Furthermore, the adapter elements 139 also lie on the disk body 145.

[0098] According to FIG. 14, each adapter element 139 also has a protruding guiding rail 149, which in this case by way of example is cross-sectionally T-shaped. With these guiding rails 149, the adapter elements 139 engage in a contour-adapted manner in corresponding rail holders or holding grooves 151 of the disk body 145, with the formation of a gripping-behind engagement. The guiding rails 149 and the rail holders 151 are formed in this case in such a way that the adapter elements 139 can be radially displaced in relation to the disk body 145.

[0099] Through the use of the adapter elements 139, a workpiece to be balanced can be clamped from the inside. For this purpose, in the assembled state of the clamping body 138, when there is a displacement of the clamping element 33 in relation to the spring element 31 in a first axial direction, the spring element 31 is pressed open outwardly in the radial direction r, so that the outside diameter of the spring element 31 is increased. Due to the spring element 31, the adapter elements 139 are then pressed or moved outwardly away from the central clamping element 33, wherein the clamping diameter of the clamping body 138 is increased. For releasing a clamped workpiece, the clamping element 33 is displaced in an opposite second axial direction in relation to the spring element 31. As a result, the spring element 31 is drawn together in the radial direction r by the clamping element 33, so that the outside diameter of the spring element 31 is reduced. Due to the spring element 31, the adapter elements 139 are then drawn or moved inwardly toward the central clamping element 33, wherein the clamping diameter of the clamping body 138 is reduced.

[0100] In FIGS. 15 to 16, a fourth embodiment of a balancing adapter 153 with a clamping device according to the invention is shown. The balancing adapter 153 has a clamping body 155 with adapter elements 157. In comparison with the adapter elements 139 shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, each adapter element 157 has a placement region 159, which forms a placement surface 161 for a workpiece to be balanced. Consequently, in this case the workpieces can be placed on the placement surfaces 161 of the adapter elements 157 uniformly distributed around the spring element 31 and be clamped from the inside by the clamping body 155. A clamping surface 153 of the respective adapter element 157 is in this case formed by a step-like transition between the placement region 159 and a region of the adapter element 157 that has the connecting web 143. Alternatively, the adapter elements 157 in the form of blocks could also be formed in such a way that a workpiece can be clamped from the outside by them.

[0101] In FIGS. 17 to 18, a fifth embodiment of a balancing adapter 163 with a clamping device according to the invention is shown. The balancing adapter 163 has a rod-shaped actuating element 164, which is made shorter than the actuating element 85. Moreover, the actuating element 164 is guided in a linearly displaceable manner in a cylindrical clearance of a substantially rotationally symmetrical housing body 165 of the balancing adapter 163, with a ball guide, in particular a ball cage, interposed.

[0102] What is more, the rod-shaped actuating element 164 is connected in this case at an end region facing away from the clamping element 33 to a reciprocating piston 167 of an electric motor 169. The electric motor 169 forms a drive device or an actuator for the linear displacement of the actuating element 164, and consequently also of the clamping element 33 coupled thereto of the balancing adapter 163. In this case, the actuating element 164 can in turn be linearly displaced between a starting position and an end position by the electric motor 169.

[0103] Instead of the electric motor, other actuators, which may for example be hydraulically or pneumatically driven, may also be provided. Preferably, such actuators that allow a displacement of the clamping element 33 both in the first axial direction and in the second axial direction are provided.

[0104] List of Designations:

TABLE-US-00001 1 Balancing adapter 41 Web 3 Fixing region 43 Disk portion 5 Base station 45 Central region 7 Balancing device 47 Web 9 Drive spindle 49 Disk holder 11 Balancing adapter holder 51 T base 13 Workpiece 53 Wall region 15 Adapter base body 55 T top 17 Housing body 57 Wall region 19 Screw connections 59 Wall region 21 Housing body 61 Wall region 23 Disk body 63 Depression 25 Clamping apparatus 65 Assembly unit 27 Clamping disk 67 Spring portion 29 Placement surface 69 Web 31 Spring element 71 Disk portion 33 Clamping element 73 Clearance 35 Adapter element 75 Web 37 Clearance 77 Web holder 39 Spring portion 79 Wall region 81 Clamping web 119 Clearance 83 Wall region 121 End region 85 Actuating element 123 Piston 87 Actuating device 125 Balancing adapter 89 End region 127 Adapter element 91 Clearance 129 Placement surface 93 Clearance 131 Clamping base 95 Shoulder 133 Wall region 97 Screw 134 Screw 99 Compression spring 135 Pin 101 Main surface wall 136 Flat support 103 Engagement wall region 137 Balancing adapter 105 Main surface wall 138 Clamping body 107 Fixing device 139 Adapter element 109 Fixing element 141 Clamping surface 111 Clamping ring 143 Web 112 Wall region 145 Disk body 113 Engaging web 147 Placement surface 114 Clearance 149 Guiding rail 115 Screw 151 Rail holder 117 Clearances 153 Clamping surface 155 Clamping body 157 Adapter element 159 Placement region 161 Placement surface 163 Balancing adapter 164 Actuating element 165 Housing body 167 Reciprocating piston 169 Electric motor Cone angle d Clamping diameter