Actuating device of the type provided with an actuating element and sensing means for revealing the positioning of the actuating element

Abstract

An actuating device which comprises a housing inside of which a slidably displaceable actuating element and sensing means adapted to detect the positioning of the actuating element are provided, wherein the actuating element is coupled to at least one triggering part and the housing comprises at least one reading opening through which the positioning of the at least one triggering part at at least one sensing position can be detected; further wherein the sensing means are placed outside the housing at the reading opening and the at least one triggering part is completely housed inside the housing, the at least one reading opening being sealed with a cover made of a material adapted to allow the detection of the triggering part when placed at the at least one sensing position.

Claims

1. An actuating device comprising: a housing inside of which an actuating element is provided, the actuating element being slidably displaceable along a first axis between a first operative position and a second non-operative position and sensing means adapted to detect the positioning of the actuating element at least one of the first or the second position; the actuating element being coupled to at least one triggering part so that a positioning of the actuating element at one of the first or the second position corresponds to the positioning of the at least one triggering part at at least one sensing position; the housing comprising at least one reading opening through which the positioning of at least one triggering part at the at least one sensing position can be detected; the sensing means comprising sensor at least one sensing element associated with the at least one sensing position in order to detect the positioning of at least one triggering part at the at least one sensing position, the sensing means being placed outside the housing and being connected to the same at the reading opening; wherein the at least one triggering part is completely housed inside the housing and the at least one reading opening is sealed with a cover made of a material adapted to allow the detection of the triggering part when placed at the at least one sensing position.

2. The actuating device (according to claim 1, wherein the cover (40) is made of non-magnetic material preferably.

3. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is made of an adhesive material preferably.

4. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element is coupled to two triggering parts movable towards and away from a respective first and second reading opening, each reading opening being coupled to a sensing element of the sensing means thereby defining a sensing position.

5. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means comprise two sensing elements placed out of alignment with respect of both, a vertical and a horizontal axis.

6. The actuating device according to claim 5, wherein the two sensing elements are placed along a line inclined diagonally with respect to the horizontal and vertical axis.

7. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means comprise a sensor body to which a connector for signal extraction is fixed by means of a screw, wherein the connector is adapted to be fixed to the sensor body according to a plurality of orientations.

8. The actuating device according to claim 7, wherein the connector comprises a curved nut shaped so as to cooperate with a head of the screw in order to define a plurality of stable connections between the connector and the sensor body.

9. The actuating device according to claim 8, wherein the curved nut defines a plurality of seats adapted to house at least a portion of the screw head.

10. The actuating device according to claim 7, wherein the sensor body comprises a guiding groove) which rotatably engages with the connector in order to allow reciprocal rotation between the connector and the sensor body when the screw is not fastened.

11. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one triggering part is carried by at least one leverage pivotably connected to the housing, the movement of the actuating element causing the at least one leverage to rotate.

12. The actuating device according to claim 11, wherein a first triggering part is carried by a first leverage pivotably connected to the housing so as to rotate about a first axis of rotation perpendicular to the sliding movement of the actuating element and/or a second triggering part is carried by a second leverage pivotably connected to the housing so as to rotate about a second axis of rotation parallel to the sliding movement of the actuating element.

13. The actuating device according to claim 12, wherein the first leverage cooperates with a cam guide defined by the outer surface of the actuating element, wherein the displacement of the first leverage along the cam guide sets the first leverage into rotation and/or the second leverage cooperates with a portion of the actuating element having increased outer diameter which urges the second leverage against the action of elastic means when the actuating element reaches at least one of the first or the second position.

14. The actuating device according to claim 13, wherein the first leverage comprises a rotating pin engaging with the cam guide and/or the portion with increased outer diameter is positioned at an axial position of the actuating element and extends along an annular portion.

15. The actuating device according to claim 13, wherein the first leverage cooperates with elastic means for returning into a rest position when disengaged from the cam guide.

16. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating device is a clamping unit and the actuating element comprises a piston rod connected to a fork linkage, wherein the group made of the piston rod and the fork linkage act on an articulated lever or cam mechanism for actuating the rotation of a pivotable arm.

17. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element is a two-part rod and the at least one triggering part is a fastening pin of the two-part rod.

18. The actuating device according to claim 17, wherein the fastening pin is moved by the two-part rod between the first sensing position and an engagement position in which the fastening pin cooperates with a slide carrying a second triggering part and moves the slide to an end position in which the second triggering part is placed at the second sensing position.

19. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element is at least one slidable rod comprising a circular slit and the at least one triggering part is connected to the at least one slidable rod by means of a half annular connector engaged with the rod slit.

20. The actuating device according to claim 19, wherein the at least one triggering part is movable between the first sensing position and an engagement position in which it cooperates with a slide carrying a second triggering part and moves the slide to an end position in which the second triggering part is placed at the second sensing position.

21. The actuating device according to claim 2, wherein the non, magnetic material is a non-metallic material.

22. The actuating device according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive material is an acrylic material.

23. The actuating device according to claim 6, wherein the line inclined diagonally with respect to the horizontal and vertical axis is inclined by 45 or 60.

24. The actuating device according to claim 13, wherein the first leverage comprises a rotating pin engaging with the cam guide and/or the portion with increased outer diameter is positioned at an axial position of the actuating element and extends all around the actuating element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) With reference to the attached drawings, further features and advantages of the present invention will be shown by means of the following detailed description of some of its preferred embodiments. According to the above description, the several features of each embodiment can be unrestrictedly and independently combined with each other in order to achieve the advantages specifically deriving from a certain combination of the same.

(2) In the said drawings,

(3) FIGS. 1a and 1b are perspective views of a first embodiment of the actuating device according to the invention in assembled and exploded configuration, respectively;

(4) FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of a sensor of an actuating device according to the invention;

(5) FIGS. 3a and 3b are two partially broken, sectional views of the actuating device of FIG. 1a with the actuating element in its operative and non-operative position, respectively;

(6) FIGS. 4a and 4b are sectional views along lines E-E and F-F of FIGS. 3a and 3b, respectively;

(7) FIGS. 5a and 5b are partial perspective views of the sensor mounted on the housing of the actuating device of FIG. 1a, with the connector oriented according to a first and a second angle, respectively;

(8) FIGS. 6a to 6d are an exploded perspective view, a plan view and two sectional views along lines A-A and D-D, respectively;

(9) FIGS. 7a and 7b are perspective exploded views of details of a second embodiment of the actuating device according to the invention;

(10) FIGS. 8a and 8b are perspective exploded views of details of a third embodiment of the actuating device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CURRENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(11) In FIGS. 1a and 1b a first embodiment of an actuating device according to the present invention is globally indicated with 10. The actuating device according to the first embodiment is a clamping unit.

(12) The clamping unit 10 comprises a housing 15 inside of which an actuating element 11 is provided, wherein the actuating element comprises a piston rod connected to a fork linkage. The actuating element 11 acts on an articulated lever 17 or cam mechanism for actuating the rotation of a pivotable arm 18. The actuating element 11 is linearly displaceable along a first axis A, between a first operative 12 and a second non-operative 13 position, which correspond to the operative and a non-operative angular positions of the pivotable arm, respectively.

(13) The clamping unit 10 also comprises sensing means 20 for revealing the positioning of the actuating element 11 at its first 12 or second 13 end position.

(14) In the embodiment of FIGS. 1a and 1b, the sensing means comprise a sensor 20 mounted outside the housing 15 and fixedly constrained to the same 15. The sensor 20 comprises two inductive sensing elements 21 completely contained inside the sensor body 22.

(15) As shown in FIG. 2, the sensing elements 21 are positioned out of alignment with respect of both, a vertical Y and a horizontal X axis and, particularly, the two sensing elements 21 are placed along a line inclined by 45 with respect to the said axes X and Y.

(16) The sensor 20 is constrained to the device housing 15 so that the sensing elements 21 are positioned each at a reading opening 16a,16b obtained in the housing 15. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1b, also the reading openings 16a,16b are positioned out of alignment with respect of both, the vertical Y and the horizontal X and particularly along a line inclined by 45 with respect to the said axes X and Y.

(17) According to this configuration, each sensing element 21 defines a sensing position placed inside the housing 15, in front of the respective reading opening 16a,16b.

(18) According to the present invention, the reading openings 16a,16b are sealed with a cover 40 made of a material adapted, on the one hand, to allow the sensing elements 21 to define sensing positions placed inside the device housing 15 and, on the other hand, to assure a proper permanent sealing of the housing 15. In case of inductive sensing elements 21, the cover 40 is made of non-magnetic, adhesive material. In detail, the cover 40 is made of acrylic material.

(19) As shown in detail in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the actuating element 11 is coupled to a first 31 and a second 32 triggering part so that when the actuating element 11 is positioned at the first end position 12, the first triggering part 31 is positioned at a first sensing position and, when the actuating element 11 is positioned at the second end position 13, the second triggering part 32 is positioned at a second sensing position defined by the sensing elements 21.

(20) The first triggering part 31 is carried by a first leverage 33 pivotably connected to the device housing 15 at a first pivot 34 so as to rotate about a first axis of rotation B perpendicular to the sliding movement of the actuating element 11.

(21) The first leverage 33 comprises a rotating pin 36 which rests against the actuating element 11. In detail, the outer surface of the fork linkage defines a cam guide 35 which cooperates with the rotating pin 36 in such a way that movement of the fork linkage urges the first leverage 31 to rotate about the first pivot 34 towards the housing 15 wall. This movement of the first leverage 33 brings the first triggering part 31 at the first sensing position in front of the first reading opening 16a.

(22) Furthermore, the first leverage 33 cooperates with first elastic means 42 which cause the return of the first triggering part 31 into its initial position (away from the respective sensing position), when the actuating element 11 leaves the first end position 12 and moves towards its second end position 13, namely when the cam guide 35 does not urge anymore the rotating pin 36 towards the housing 15 wall.

(23) The second triggering part 32 is carried by a second leverage 37 pivotably connected to the device housing 15 at a second pivot 41 so as to rotate about a second axis of rotation C parallel to the sliding movement of the actuating element 11.

(24) When the actuating element 11 reaches its second end position 13, a portion 38 of the piston rod having increased outer diameter interferes with the second leverage 37 so as to urge it against the action of second elastic means 39, shown in detail in FIGS. 4a and 4b. This causes the second triggering part 32 to be moved towards the second sensing position in front of the second reading opening 16b.

(25) When the actuating element 11 leaves its second end position 13, the portion 38 with increased diameter gets off the second leverage 37. So, the second leverage 37 can return to its initial position under the action of the second elastic means 39 and the second triggering part 32 leaves the second sensing position.

(26) With regard to FIGS. 6a to 6d, the sensor 20 further comprises a connector 23 constrained to the sensor body 22 by means of a screw 25.

(27) The connector 23 is mounted on the sensor body 22 so as to be fixed to the same 22 according to a plurality of orientations varying within an angle of 90. FIGS. 5a and 5b respectively show the two outmost orientations.

(28) To achieve the above flexibility in setting the most suitable orientation of the connector 23, the surface of the connector which couples with the sensor body 22 comprises a curved nose 26 which cooperates with a complementary guiding groove 24 obtained on the sensor body 22 in order to retain the connector 23, but at the same time allow reciprocal rotation between the connector 23 and the sensor body 22. In detail, both the curved nose 26 and the guiding groove 24 develop along an angular portion, which in the depicted embodiment is of 90.

(29) Furthermore, the connector 23 comprises on its outer surface a curved nut 27 shaped so as to cooperate with the head 25a of the screw 25 in order to define a plurality of stable connections between the connector 23 and the sensor body 22.

(30) In detail, the curved nut 27 has a development extending parallel to the curved nose 26 and, at predefined angular positions, it defines a plurality of seats 27a adapted to house at least a portion of the screw head 25a.

(31) In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6a to 6b, the curved nut 27 comprises a seat 27a at each of its end positions. This allows stably connecting the connector 23 to the sensor body 22 at two orientations inclined by 90 one with respect to the other. Nevertheless, stable connections are possible also at different orientations at which the screw head 25a acts against the surface of the curved nut 27 outside the seats 27a.

(32) In FIGS. 7a and 7b a second embodiment of an actuating device according to the present invention is globally indicated with 50. The actuating device according to the second embodiment is a retractable locating pin unit 50.

(33) The pin unit 50 comprises a housing 55 inside of which an actuating element 51 is provided, wherein the actuating element is a two-part rod. The two parts 51a, 51b of the rod 51 are connected to each other by means of two fastening pins 52a,52b. The two-part rod 51 is linearly displaceable along a sliding axis A, between a first operative and a second non-operative position.

(34) The pin unit 50 also comprises sensing means (not shown) for revealing the positioning of the two-part rod 51 at its first or second end position, which are substantially the same as described with reference to the first embodiment.

(35) The sensor is constrained to the device housing 55 at two reading openings 56a,56b obtained in a plate 57 constrained to the housing 55 so as to define two sensing positions placed inside the housing 55, in front of the respective reading openings 56a,56b.

(36) Also according to the second embodiment, the reading openings 56a,56b are sealed with a cover 40 made of a material adapted, on the one hand, to allow the sensing elements to define sensing positions placed inside the device housing 55 and, on the other hand, to assure a proper and permanent sealing of the housing 55.

(37) The first triggering part coupled to the two-part rod 51 is one of the fastening pins 52a which protrudes from the two-part rod 51 towards the side of the housing 55 to which the plate 57 carrying the reading openings 56a,56b is fastened.

(38) When the two-part rod 51 is in its non-operative position, the fastening pin 52a is positioned at a first sensing position, inside the housing 55, in front of the first reading opening 56a.

(39) The second 59 triggering part is carried by a slide 53 slidably constrained to the device housing 55 behind the plate 57. The slide 53 is urged into a rest position by means of elastic means 58. When the slide 53 is in its rest position, the second triggering part 59 is outside the second sensing position which is located inside the housing 55, in front of the second reading opening 56b.

(40) When the two-part rod 51 moves towards its operative position, the fastening pin 52a is moved away from the first sensing position. When the two-part rod 51 reaches its operative position, the fastening pin 52a engages the slide 53 and drags it against the force of the elastic means 58. This movement of the slide 53 brings the second triggering part 59 into the second sensing position.

(41) When the two-part rod 51 moves back towards its non-operative position, the fastening pin 52a disengages from the slide 53 and the elastic means 58 urge it 53 (and consequently the second triggering part 59) back into its rest position away from the second sensing position.

(42) In FIGS. 8a and 8b a third embodiment of an actuating device according to the present invention is globally indicated with 80. The actuating device according to the third embodiment is a double-rod pin unit 80.

(43) The pin unit 80 comprises a housing 85 inside of which an actuating element 81 is provided, wherein the actuating element is a double rod linearly displaceable along a sliding axis A between a first operative and a second non-operative position.

(44) The pin unit 80 also comprises sensing means (not shown) for revealing the positioning of the double rod 81 at its first or second end position, which are substantially the same as described with reference to the first embodiment.

(45) The sensor is constrained to the device housing 85 at two reading openings 86a,86b obtained in a plate 87 constrained to the housing 85 so as to define two sensing positions placed inside the housing 85, in front of the respective reading openings 86a,86b.

(46) Also according to the third embodiment, the reading openings 86a,86b are sealed with a cover 40 made of a material adapted, on the one hand, to allow the sensing elements to define sensing positions placed inside the device housing 85 and, on the other hand, to assure a proper permanent sealing of the housing 85.

(47) The two rods 81a,81b of the double rod 81 comprise each a circular slit 82. The first triggering part 83 is connected to one of the two rods 81a,81b by means of a half-annular connector 84 engaged with the rod slit 82. The first triggering part 83 is connected to one of the two rods 81a,81b in a way so as to protrude towards the side of the housing 85 to which the plate 87 carrying the reading openings 86a,86b is fastened.

(48) When the two rods 81a,81b are in their non-operative position, the triggering part 83 is positioned at a first sensing position, inside the housing 85, in front of the first reading opening 86a.

(49) The second triggering part 88 is carried by a slide 90 slidably constrained to the device housing 85 behind the plate 87. The slide 90 is urged into a rest position by means of elastic means 89. When the slide 90 is in its rest position, the second triggering part 88 is outside the second sensing position which is located inside the housing 85, in front of the second reading opening 86b.

(50) When the two rods 81a,81b move towards their operative position, the first triggering part 83 is moved away from the first sensing position. When the two rods 81a,81b reach their operative position, the first triggering part 83 engages the slide 90 and drags it against the force of the elastic means 89. This movement of the slide 90 brings the second triggering part 88 into the second sensing position.

(51) When the two rods 81a,81b move back towards their non-operative position, the first triggering part 83 disengages from the slide 90 and the elastic means 89 urge it 90 (and consequently the second triggering part 88) back into its rest position away from the second sensing position.