SECURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A SECURING DEVICE

Abstract

A securing device for a rotatably mounted object with at least one receiving unit, which is fixed against rotation on a first component of the object with at least one clamping unit which is fixed against rotation to a second component of the object, which manually or by means of a rotary drive is moveable relative to the first component via a rotatably mounted joint about a rotational and/or swivel axis, and with at least one drive unit through which the clamping unit can be transferred from a release position, in which the first component and the second component are released for rotation relative to each other to a clamping position, in which the clamping unit frictionally and/or non-positively engages in the receiving unit, and the first component and the second component are fixed relative to each other against rotation about the rotary and/or swivel axis.

Claims

1. A securing device for a rotatably mounted object comprising: at least one receiving unit, which is fixed against rotation on a first component of the object, at least one clamping unit which is fixed against rotation to a second component of the object, which manually or by means of a rotary drive is moveable relative to the first component via a rotatably mounted joint about a rotational and/or swivel axis, and at least one drive unit through which the clamping unit is able to be transferred from a release position, in which the first component and the second component are released for rotation relative to each other, parallel to the rotational and/or swivel axis to a clamping position, in which the clamping unit frictionally and/or non-positively engages in the receiving unit, and the first component and the second component are fixed relative to each other against rotation about the rotary and/or swivel axis.

2. The securing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receiving unit comprises at least one recess that is provided concentric to the rotational axis and/or swivel axis and extends in the direction of the rotational axis and/or swivel axis and/or that the at least one clamping unit comprises at least a clamping means which is movable in the recess and is able to be arranged directly adjacent frictionally and/or non-positively.

3. The securing device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one clamping means of the clamping unit, on the side facing the recess of the receiving unit comprises in particular a tapered, guide section and/or that the recess of the receiving unit, on the side facing the clamping means of the clamping unit, comprises in a particular funnel-like, receiving section.

4. The securing device according to claim 2, wherein the guide section of the clamping means and/or the receiving section of the recess with respect to the rotational and/or swivel axis comprises an angle of 0 to 30 and/or that the guide section of the clamping means and/or the receiving section of the recess comprises a surface and/or a surface coating having a coefficient of friction between 0.05 and 0.8.

5. The securing device according to claim 2, wherein the drive unit comprises at least one pneumatic, hydraulic and/or mechanical tensionable spring means, which clamps the at least one clamping means with a clamping force in the clamping position and/or the drive unit comprises at least one pneumatic, hydraulic and/or mechanical effective locking means which fixes the at least one clamping means in the release position.

6. The securing device according to claim 5, wherein the locking means of the drive unit comprises in a basic position a counteracting and equal restoring force to the clamping force of the spring means, with which the locking means acts on the clamping means and holds by force equilibrium in the release position, and that the locking means in an emergency position comprises a reduced restoring force relative to the basic position and releases the clamping means for transferring into the clamping position.

7. The securing device according to claim 5, wherein the locking means comprises a pressurisable, hydraulically or pneumatically effective fluid, which runs in a cavity, between the clamping means of the clamping unit and the second component of the object arranged cavity and/or that the drive unit comprises a ring line and at least one valve, through which the cavity is able to be brought into fluid communication with the ring line.

8. The securing device according to claim 5, further comprising at least one control unit, by which at least the restoring force of the locking means of the drive unit for transferring the at least one clamping means into the clamping position is adjustable, and by at least one, to the at least one control unit, assigned or assignable sensor means by the at least one triggering condition for transferring the locking means from the basic position to the emergency position can be detected and/or by a pressure in the cavity can be detected.

9. The securing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one clamping unit comprises a plurality of clamping means which are arranged on an annular support and/or that the second component comprises a plurality of through holes parallel to the rotation and/or swivel axis extending through openings in which the plurality of clamping means are arranged, wherein the annular support in the release position to the second component spaced and in the clamping position with respect to the release position in the direction of the second component is moved and/or rests against the second component.

10. The securing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one drive unit comprises a plurality of spring means which are arranged concentrically to the swivel axis and/or swivel axis and together clamping the clamping unit, in the clamping position.

11. The securing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one receiving unit and the first component comprise a common component and/or that the receiving unit comprises a flange that is or can be fixed indirectly or directly and rotationally fixed to the first component releasably or permanently.

12. A method for operating a securing device of a rotatably mounted object, which comprises at least one receiving unit which is fixed against rotation on a first component of the object, at least one clamping unit, which is fixed non-rotatably on a second component of the object, which is manually or by means of a rotary drive moveable relative to the first component via a rotatably mounted joint about a rotational and/or swivel axis, and which comprises at least one drive unit, the method comprising the steps: a. detecting a triggering condition by sensor means associated with a control unit; b. directing the drive unit for transferring the clamping unit from a release position, in which the first component and the second component are released for moving relative to each other, in a locking position in which the clamping unit engages the receiving unit frictionally and/or non-positively, and fixes the first component and the second component against moving relative to each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The drawing shows the following:

[0040] FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective front view of an embodiment of the securing device;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a sectional detail view of the clamping unit, the receiving unit and the drive unit of the securing device according to FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective detailed view of the clamping unit of the securing device according to FIG. 1

[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of the method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a securing device for a rotatably mounted object 4, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 2. The object 4 may be a manipulator, for example a direct drive.

[0045] The securing device 2 comprises a receiving unit 6, which is fixed against rotation on a first component 8 of the object 4. In addition, the securing device 2 comprises a clamping unit 10, which is fixed to a second component 12 of the object 4. The second component 12 is moveable manually or by means of a rotary drive, in particular direct drive, relative to the first component 8 via a rotatably mounted joint about a rotational and/or swivel axis 14.

[0046] In addition, the securing device 2 comprises a drive unit 16, in the clamping unit 10 in a release position in which the first component 8 and the second component 12 are released for rotation relative to each other, which can be transferred parallel to the rotational and/or swivel axis 14 in a clamping position, in which the clamping unit 10 in the receiving unit 6 frictionally and/or non-positively engages. In the second functional position, the first component 8 and the second component 12 are fixed against rotation about the rotational and/or swivel axis 14 relative to one another.

[0047] In the embodiment of the securing device 2 shown in the figures, the receiving unit 6 comprises a recess 18, which runs concentrically to the rotational and/or swivel axis 14. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the recess 18 and the receiving unit 6 is formed integrally with the first component 8.

[0048] In addition, the clamping unit 10, in the embodiment shown in the figures, comprises a plurality of clamping means 20 which are moveable in the recess 18 and can be arranged adjacently there frictionally and/or non-positively directly in the recess.

[0049] In order to facilitate arranging the clamping means 20 in the recesses 18, the clamping means 20 comprise a tapered guide section 22 and the recess 18, on the side facing the clamping means 20 of the clamping unit 10, has a receiving section 24 formed in a particularly viewable way.

[0050] In the embodiment of the securing device 2 shown in the figures, the drive unit 16 comprises a plurality of spring means 26, which are supported on the one hand on the second component 12 of the object 4 and on the other hand supported on an annular support 28 of the clamping unit 10. On the annular support 28 of the clamping unit 10, the plurality of clamping means 20 are arranged.

[0051] In order to hold the clamping unit 10 in the release position, the securing device 2 comprises a locking means 30, which is formed in the embodiment shown in the figures by a hydraulically active fluid. This is arranged in a cavity 32 which is formed between the second component 12 and the support 28 of the clamping unit 10. The cavity 32 is connected via a valve with a ring line and thereby acted upon by pressure or in a pressure reducing manner.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the drive unit 16 comprises a plurality of spring means 26, which are arranged like a crown around the rotational and/or swivel axis 14. This makes it possible to achieve an at least almost homogeneous force distribution along the support 28 of the clamping unit 10.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a section through an exemplary embodiment of the securing device 2. Here, the clamping unit 10 is shown in a clamping position. In the clamping position, the clamping means 20 engage in the recess 18 of the receiving unit 6 and act by a frictional and/or non-positive connection such that the first component 8 and second component 12 are rotationally fixed relative to each other. In this case, the clamping means 20 penetrate parallel to the rotational and/or swivel axis 14 extending through openings 34 in the second component 12 and are arranged in recess 18, integrally formed with the first component 8, of the receiving unit 6 frictionally and/or non-positively.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of receiving unit 6, clamping unit 10 and drive unit 16.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a perspective detailed view of the clamping unit 10. It can be seen from FIG. 3 that the clamping unit 10 comprises the ring-like support 28 and a plurality of clamping means 20 extending in the manner of teeth in the direction of the recess 18.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for operating a securing device. In this case, in a first step 100, a triggering condition is detected by a sensor means 38 assigned to a control unit 36, such as a pressure sensor, temperature sensor, piezoelectric sensor. Control unit 36 and sensor means 38 are shown only schematically in FIG. 1.

[0057] In a further step 101, the drive unit 16 for transferring the clamping unit 10 from a release position, in which the first component 8 and the second component 12 are released for moving, in particular rotating, relative to each other, in a locking position in which the clamping unit 10 engages the receiving unit 6 frictionally and/or non-positively, and fixes the first component 8 and the second component 12 against moving relative to each other.

[0058] The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the claims and in the drawing, may be essential both individually and in any combination in the realisation of the invention in its various embodiments.

REFERENCE LIST

[0059] 2 securing device [0060] 4 object [0061] 6 recording unit [0062] 8 first component [0063] 10 clamping unit [0064] 12 second component [0065] 14 rotational and/or swivel axis [0066] 16 drive unit [0067] 18 recess [0068] 20 clamping means [0069] 22 guide section [0070] 24 receiving section [0071] 26 spring means [0072] 28 support [0073] 30 locking means [0074] 32 cavity [0075] 34 through opening [0076] 36 control unit [0077] 38 sensor means