SENSOR FOR POWER CLAMP

Abstract

A toggle clamping device for building vehicle bodies has a clamping head and a cylinder, which adjoins the cylinder-side end of the clamping head in axial extension and the piston rod of which passes axially through the cylinder and a cavity of the clamping head, a toggle clamping arrangement being fastened to the free end of the piston rod, the toggle clamping arrangement being coupled to a clamping arm, and an opening being provided in the housing, and a cavity being provided therein for the mounting of a detection device for detecting the end positions of the clamping head, and wherein the detection device is formed as an exchangeable part, a cassette. For simple exchange of the cassette, the detection device is made up of a retainer and at least one sensor carrier, and the retainer is connected to the at least one sensor carrier such that the retainer can pivot about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being oriented transversely to the direction of the piston rod.

Claims

1: Toggle clamping apparatus for vehicle body construction, having a clamping head and having a piston cylinder that follows the cylinder-side end of the clamping head in an axial extension, the piston rod of which passes axially through the cylinder and a cavity (25) of the clamping head, wherein a toggle joint arrangement is attached to the free end of the piston rod, which arrangement is coupled with a clamping arm (26), and wherein an opening (33) having an opening plane (8) is provided in the housing (32), and a cavity (25) for installation of a detection device (1) for detection of the end positions of the clamping head (34) is provided in the housing, and wherein the detection device is structured as an exchangeable part, called a cassette, and wherein the detection unit (1) comprises a retainer (2) and at least one flexible sensor carrier (3), wherein the retainer (2) is connected with the at least one sensor carrier (3) so as to pivot about a pivot axis (4), and wherein the pivot axis (4) is oriented transverse to the direction (5) of the piston rod and parallel to the opening plane (8), and the retainer has at least two dimensional reference surfaces (9, 10) oriented orthogonal to one another, which are oriented parallel to the pivot axis, and the at least one sensor carrier (3) is configured to be flexible in a plane (11) directed transverse to the pivot axis (4) and configured to be rigid in a plane (12) directed parallel to the pivot axis.

2: Detection unit, particularly for detection of the end positions of a clamping head, preferably for installation into a toggle clamping apparatus for vehicle body construction, having end switches or positioners in the form of micro-switches, inductive switches, pneumatic switches or sensors (7), which are integrated into a space of the clamping head that is accessible through an opening, and are attached to a retainer (2) that forms the cover for an opening, as a detection cassette (6) that is exchangeable as a whole, and wherein the retainer (2) is connected with at least one flexible sensor carrier (3), wherein the at least one flexible sensor carrier (3) is connected with the retainer (2), mounted so as to pivot about a pivot axis (4), wherein the pivot axis (4) is oriented parallel to a dimensional reference surface (9).

3: Detection unit according to claim 2, wherein it has at least two dimensional reference surfaces (9, 10) that are oriented orthogonal to one another and are oriented parallel to the pivot axis.

4: Detection unit according to claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor carrier (3) is configured to be flexible in a plane (11) directed transverse to the pivot axis (4) and configured to be rigid in a plane (12) directed parallel to the pivot axis.

5: Detection unit according to claim 2, wherein the sensor carrier (3) is produced from a flat strip (13), particularly a steel strip (14).

6: Detection unit according to claim 5, wherein the flat strip (13) is configured to be vaulted.

7: Detection unit according to claim 2, wherein the sensor carrier (3) has at least one guide part (15), particularly at its free end (16).

8: Detection unit according to claim 2, wherein at least one sensor (7) is attached to the sensor carrier (3), particularly is attached in longitudinally displaceable manner.

9: Detection unit according to claim 2, wherein the retainer (2) has at least one attachment bore (17) and an electrical feed (18) that is preferably configured as one side of a plug connection (19).

10: Detection unit according to claim 2, wherein the retainer (2) has a cavity (20) for accommodation of a board (21) and/or transparent openings (22) for display of a switching state.

11: Detection unit according to claim 2, wherein the sensor carrier (3) is configured as a flexible circuit board (22).

Description

[0034] The figures of the drawing show, in detail:

[0035] FIG. 1 a section through the installation situation of the detection unit according to the invention in a toggle clamping apparatus,

[0036] FIG. 2 a perspective side view of the detection unit,

[0037] FIG. 3 a perspective top view of the detection unit according to the invention,

[0038] FIG. 4 a perspective view of the detection unit according to the invention from below, and

[0039] FIG. 5 an alternative embodiment of the detection unit according to the invention as a perspective view from below.

[0040] In FIG. 1, the detail of a clamping head is shown in section, so that the installation situation of the detection unit 1 is evident. In this regard, it is presumed to be known how a toggle clamping apparatus is designed and how its clamping head is structured. In the housing 32 of the clamping head 34, an opening 33 is introduced for installation of the detection unit 1, into which opening the retainer 2 is inserted. In the retainer 2, a sensor carrier 3 that can pivot about the pivot axis 4 is mounted so as to rotate. In this regard, a sensor is provided in the retainer 2, and a further sensor 7 is provided in the guide part 15, which is attached to a free end 16 of the carrier 3. A cable 31 is provided for supplying power and passing the signal of sensor 7 on, which cable runs above the sensor carrier 3.

[0041] A cavity 25 is situated between the wall of the housing 32 of the clamping head 34 and the clamping arm 26 disposed in the clamping head or the piston rod 27 articulated onto it; this cavity accommodates the sensor carrier 3 of the detection device 1. In the installed state, the sensor carrier consequently has approximately the same direction as the movement direction 5 of the piston rod 27 or of the clamping arm 26.

[0042] In order for the sensors 7 to always assume the same position after installation or replacement of the detection device 1, the retainer 2 has a dimensional reference surface 9 that is configured as a stop and is oriented parallel to the opening plane 8 of the opening 33. In order for the position in a plane disposed orthogonal to this to also be fixed in place, a second dimensional reference surface 10 is formed on the retainer 2, which surface is also disposed orthogonal to the dimensional reference surface 9. The matching surfaces that interact with one another are indicated with triangles in FIG. 1. In this manner, the pivot axis 4 is fixed in space, and with it also the position of the detection device 1, which is exchangeable as an assembly unit, called a detection cassette 6.

[0043] FIGS. 2 to 4 show the detection unit according to the invention in perspective views, from different directions. In the side view according to FIG. 2, the dimensional reference surfaces 9 and 10, in particular, can be seen, as can a socket 30 that can pivot, through which the pivot axis 4 passes, and into which the sensor carrier 3 is clamped at its mounted end 35. The other end 6 is clamped in the guide part 15. A plug connection 19 is provided for a connection with the overriding controller, on the housing 28 of the detection unit 1. The sensor carrier 3 is a steel strip having a slight thickness, so that it behaves in flexible, elastically deformable manner in the drawing plane. Transverse to this, in other words perpendicular to the drawing plane, the sensor carrier 3 acts in rigid manner.

[0044] In the top view according to FIG. 3, a cavity 20 can be seen on the housing 28 of the detection unit 1; the electronics for supplying the sensors 7 are installed on a board 21 in this cavity, and the cable 31 to the sensor 7 provided in the guide part 15 is also guided from this board. In the lid 36 of the housing 28, the transparent openings 37 serve to be able to recognize the switching state of the detection unit. For this purpose, visible light-emitting diodes are disposed on the board 21 and display the switching state. A screw 38 is sufficient for attaching the lid 36. A passage bore 17 serves to attach the detection device 1 on the housing 32 of the clamping head 34. The plane that stands perpendicular to the drawing plane is indicated with 11; in this plane, the sensor carrier 3 falls flexibly. In the drawing plane 12, it behaves rigidly.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the detection unit according to the invention from below. In this view, the sensors 7 are particularly evident; one of them is disposed in the guide part 15 and the other in the retainer 2.

[0046] FIG. 5 also shows a detection unit from below, in a perspective view, in which the sensor carrier 3 is not configured as a flat strip 13, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but rather implemented by means of a chain of links 39 that are lined up with one another. These therefore form a link chain 23. Because of the parallel link joint axes 24, the sensor carrier 3 behaves flexibly in a plane perpendicular to the drawing plane, while it behaves rigidly again in the drawing plane.

[0047] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the abstract indicated above and the preceding detailed description, it should be understood and stated that a great number of variations or modifications of it exist. It should also be stated that the exemplary embodiment or the exemplary embodiments are only examples and are not intended to restrict the scope (or scope of protection), the applicability or the structure of the device according to the invention in any way. Instead, the abstract and the detailed description give a person skilled in the art sufficient and easily understood instructions for implementation of at least one exemplary embodiment. In this regard, it should be understood that varied and diverse modifications of this embodiment can be made, with regard to the function and the placement of the elements described in an exemplary embodiment, without deviating from the scope (or scope of protection) defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

[0048] 1 detection device [0049] 2 retainer [0050] 3 sensor carrier [0051] 4 pivot axis [0052] 5 direction [0053] 6 detection cassette [0054] 7 sensor [0055] 8 opening plane [0056] 9 dimensional reference surface [0057] 10 dimensional reference surface [0058] 11 plane [0059] 12 plane [0060] 13 flat strip [0061] 14 steel strip [0062] 15 guide part [0063] 16 end [0064] 17 attachment bore [0065] 18 feed [0066] 19 plug connection [0067] 20 cavity [0068] 21 board [0069] 22 circuit board [0070] 23 link chain [0071] 24 link joint axes [0072] 25 cavity (toggle clamping apparatus) [0073] 26 clamping arm [0074] 27 piston rod [0075] 28 housing (detection unit) [0076] 29 guide groove [0077] 30 socket [0078] 31 cable [0079] 32 housing (clamping head) [0080] 33 opening [0081] 34 clamping head [0082] 35 end [0083] 36 lid [0084] 37 openings [0085] 38 screw [0086] 39 link