TWM679069U - Device that can confirm the completion of zero-point positioning - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is a device capable of confirming zero-point positioning, comprising a base, a piston, an upper cover, and a sensing mechanism. The base has a piston groove, a flow channel mechanism, and a lower plate. The flow channel mechanism connects to the outside and the piston groove; the lower plate is fixed within the piston groove and has a lower plate groove; the piston is hermetically sealed within the piston groove and the lower plate groove, and can move vertically relative to it, and the piston has a piston center groove, a steel ball groove, and a plurality of piston spring seats. The upper cover hermetically covers the piston within the piston groove and the lower plate groove, and the upper cover has an upper cover lower protruding sleeve, a plurality of upper cover steel ball holes, and a plurality of upper cover spring seats. The upper cover and lower protruding sleeve allow the upper cover to be airtightly inserted into the piston center groove and lower plate. The upper cover's ball bearing holes and grooves are for mounting multiple ball bearings. Multiple upper cover spring seats and multiple piston spring seats are for mounting multiple springs. The upper cover and lower protruding sleeve also allows a working part to perform either clamping, positioning, or release/retraction actions. The sensing mechanism is located in the piston groove and connected to the outside. When the working part, with the clamped part pre-extended into the upper cover and pushing the piston to the sensing distance of the sensing mechanism, outputs a confirmation signal, confirming that the working part has performed zero-point positioning. This invention combines the advantages of confirming zero-point positioning and directly applying existing devices to reduce development costs.

Description

A device that can confirm the completion of zero-point positioning

This invention is a device that combines the ability to reliably complete zero-point positioning with the ability to directly apply existing devices, reducing development costs.

Zero-point positioners are commonly used to stably clamp a worktable, preventing it from wobbling and ensuring the accuracy of the workpiece being machined on the worktable.

However, clamping does not guarantee that the worktable has actually reached the zero-point positioning position (it may fail to reach the positioning position due to machining debris or other factors). If clamping is only performed without achieving zero-point positioning, it may cause defects in the precision of the machined workpiece.

Therefore, how to design devices that can improve upon shortcomings is a topic that relevant industries need to study.

This invention is a device that can reliably complete zero-point positioning, combining the advantages of both confirmable zero-point positioning and the ability to directly apply existing devices, reducing development costs.

This invention provides a device for confirming the completion of zero-point positioning, which includes:

A base comprising a piston groove, a flow channel mechanism, and a lower plate; the piston groove is recessed into the base, the flow channel mechanism is recessed into the base and connected at one end to the outside and at the other end to the piston groove; the lower plate is fixed within the piston groove and has a lower plate groove.

A piston, airtightly disposed in the piston groove and the lower plate groove, and capable of vertical relative movement, comprises a piston center groove, a steel ball groove, and a plurality of piston spring seats; the steel ball groove is recessed within the piston center groove, and the plurality of piston spring seats are evenly distributed and recessed at the top of the piston;

An upper cover, corresponding to the piston and airtightly fixed to the base and the lower plate, airtightly covering the piston groove and the lower plate groove; the upper cover has an upper cover lower protruding sleeve, a plurality of upper cover ball holes, and a plurality of upper cover spring seats; the upper cover lower protruding sleeve allows the upper cover to be airtightly inserted into the piston center groove, the piston groove, and the lower plate groove; the plurality of upper cover ball holes are for housing a plurality of ball holes corresponding to ball grooves; the plurality of upper cover spring seats are for housing a plurality of springs corresponding to the plurality of piston spring seats; and

A sensing mechanism is mounted on the base. The sensing mechanism has a sensing groove and a sensor. The sensing groove is recessed into the piston groove, with one end connected to the outside and the other end connected to the piston. The sensor has a sensing end and an extension end. The sensing end is located in the sensing groove and faces the piston, while the extension end is connected to the outside.

The upper cover lower sleeve is designed for either clamping/positioning or releasing/removing actions of a working part. The working part includes a working plate and at least one clamped component, which is fixed below the working plate for clamping and positioning. The clamped component has a clamping recess.

Therefore, when the working part, with at least one clamped member pre-extended into the upper cover's lower sleeve, and the plurality of springs each supporting one end against the plurality of upper cover spring seats and pushing the plurality of piston spring seats with their other ends, the plurality of steel balls are pushed forward from the steel ball grooves through the plurality of upper cover steel ball holes, and then respectively engaged in the clamped recesses, pushing the pistons towards the sensing end. When they enter the sensing distance of the sensing end, the sensor outputs a confirmation signal through the extension end, thus achieving zero-point positioning of the working part.

When a working airflow is supplied to the flow channel mechanism, this airflow pushes the piston upward from the top of the piston groove, simultaneously compressing the plurality of springs. This upward pull on the working part causes the plurality of steel balls to be pushed in the opposite direction from the clamped recess towards the plurality of upper cover steel ball holes, and then respectively enter the steel ball grooves, thus releasing and retracting the working part.

(10): Base

(11): Piston groove

(12): Flow channel mechanism

(13): Lower half of the board

(131): Lower plate groove

(20): Piston

(21): Piston center groove

(22): Steel ball groove

(23): Piston Spring Seat

(30): Top cover

(31): Upper cover and lower protruding sleeve

(32): Top cover ball hole

(33): Upper cover spring seat

(40): Sensing institutions

(41): Sensing tank

(42): Sensor

(421): Sensing end ( ...)

(422): Extension end

(42A): Confirmation signal

(81): Working airflow

(90): Work Department

(91): Workboard

(92): Clamped component

(921): The clamped recess

(M): Steel balls

(K): Spring

(H): Sensing distance

Figure 1: A sectional view showing the three-dimensional disassembly of this work.

Second image: A sectional view of this work from the first angle.

The third image is a sectional view of this work from a second angle.

Figure 4: A cross-sectional view of this work before the zero-point positioning was confirmed.

Figure 5: A magnified view of a portion of Figure 4.

Figure 6: A cross-sectional view confirming the zero-point location of this creation.

Figure 7: A magnified view of a portion of Figure 6.

Referring to Figures 1 through 7, this invention is a device capable of confirming the completion of zero-point positioning, which includes:

A base 10 has a piston groove 11, a flow channel mechanism 12, and a lower plate 13. The piston groove 11 is recessed into the base 10. The flow channel mechanism 12 is recessed into the base 10, with one end connected to the outside and the other end connected to the piston groove 11. The lower plate 13 is fixed within the piston groove 11 and has a lower plate groove 131.

A piston 20 is airtightly disposed in the piston groove 11 and the lower plate groove 131, and is movable vertically relative to it. The piston 20 has a piston center groove 21, a steel ball groove 22, and a plurality of piston spring seats 23. The steel ball groove 22 is recessed within the piston center groove 21, and the plurality of piston spring seats 23 are evenly distributed and recessed at the top of the piston 20.

An upper cover 30 is hermetically fixed to the base 10 and the lower plate 13 corresponding to the piston 20, and hermetically covers the piston 20 in the piston groove 11 and the lower plate groove 131. The upper cover 30 has an upper cover lower protruding sleeve 31, a plurality of upper cover steel ball holes 32, and a plurality of upper cover spring seats 33. The upper cover lower protruding sleeve 31 allows the upper cover 30 to be inserted into the piston center groove 21, the piston groove 11, and the lower plate groove 131 (see Figures 4 and 5). The plurality of upper cover steel ball holes 32 correspond to the steel ball grooves 22 for accommodating a plurality of steel balls M. The plurality of upper cover spring seats 33 correspond to the plurality of piston spring seats 23 for accommodating a plurality of springs K.

A sensing mechanism 40 is disposed on the base 10. The sensing mechanism 40 has a sensing groove 41 and a sensor 42. The sensing groove 41 is recessed into the piston groove 11, with one end connected to the outside and the other end connected to the piston 20. The sensor 42 has a sensing end 421 and an extension end 422. The sensing end 421 is disposed in the sensing groove 41 and faces the piston 20, while the extension end 422 connects to the outside.

The upper cover lower protruding sleeve 31 is designed for either clamping and positioning (see Figures 6 and 7) or releasing and retracting (see Figures 4 and 5) of a working part 90. The working part 90 includes a working plate 91 and at least one clamped member 92. The clamped member 92 is fixed below the working plate 91 for clamping and positioning. The clamped member 92 has a clamping recess 921.

In this way, when the working part 90 inserts the at least one clamped member 92 into the upper cover lower protruding sleeve 31 in advance (that is, from the fourth figure to the sixth figure), and the plurality of springs K support the plurality of upper cover spring seats 33 with one end and push the plurality of piston spring seats 23 with the other end, the plurality of steel balls M are pushed forward from the steel ball groove 22 through the plurality of upper cover steel ball holes 32, and then respectively inserted into the clamped recess 921. The piston 20 is pushed forward towards the sensing end 421. When it enters the sensing distance H of the sensing end 421, the sensor 42 outputs an confirmation signal 42A through the extension end 422, thus achieving zero-point positioning and clamping of the working part 90 (see Figures 6 and 7).

When a working airflow 81 (see Figure 4) is supplied to the flow channel mechanism 12, the working airflow 81 pushes the piston 20 upward from the piston groove 11, simultaneously compressing the plurality of springs K. This pulls the working part 90 upward, causing the plurality of steel balls M to be pushed in the opposite direction from the clamped recess 921 towards the plurality of upper cover steel ball holes 32, and then respectively into the steel ball grooves 22, thus releasing and retracting the working part 90 (see Figures 6 and 4, indicating it can be removed).

In practice, the sensing distance H can be 1 ± 0.5 cm.

Furthermore, a sensing distance H of 0.72 cm is considered optimal.

The sensor 42 can be a known proximity switch.

The confirmation signal 42A can be at least one of an audio signal or a light signal.

It is worth noting that, as is well known in the industry, zero-point positioners are primarily used to mount the workpiece 90 for precision machining.

However, the multiple steel balls M, when inserted into the clamping recess 921, merely clamp the working part 90; they do not actually reach the zero-point positioning position (this may be due to machining debris or other factors preventing proper positioning). If clamping without achieving zero-point positioning can cause defects in precision machining.

To address the aforementioned problem, this invention incorporates a sensing mechanism 40 within the base 10. The sensing mechanism 40 uses a sensor 42 with its sensing end 421 facing the piston 20 and its extension end 422 connecting it to the outside environment. When the piston 20 is pushed towards the sensing end 421 and enters the sensing distance H of the sensing end 421, the sensor 42 outputs a confirmation signal 42A through the extension end 422, thereby confirming that the working part 90 is clamped and has reached the zero-point positioning position (see Figures 4 and 6).

Of course, if the acknowledgment signal 42A is not received, it may be necessary to inspect it to avoid defects in precision machining.

This creation has the following advantages and benefits:

[1] Zero-point positioning can be confirmed. When the plurality of springs push the piston towards the sensing end through the plurality of piston spring seats, and when it enters the sensing distance of the sensing end, the sensor outputs the confirmation signal through the extension end, thus confirming that the working part has achieved zero-point positioning clamping and positioning from within the piston groove and the lower plate groove, which are invisible to the naked eye.

[2] Existing devices can be directly applied, reducing development costs. The sensor can be a known proximity switch, with mature and stable components, eliminating the need for additional development and thus reducing costs.

(10): Base

(20): Piston

(21): Piston center groove

(22): Steel ball groove

(23): Piston Spring Seat

(30): Top cover

(31): Upper cover and lower protruding sleeve

(32): Top cover ball hole

(33): Upper cover spring seat

(40): Sensing institutions

(41): Sensing tank

(42): Sensor

(421): Sensing end (421): Sensing end

(42A): Confirmation signal

(91): Workboard

(92): Clamped component

(921): The clamped recess

(M): Steel balls

(K): Spring

(H): Sensing distance

Claims (5)

A device for confirming the completion of zero-point positioning includes: A base comprising a piston groove, a flow channel mechanism, and a lower plate; the piston groove is recessed into the base, the flow channel mechanism is recessed into the base and connected at one end to the outside and at the other end to the piston groove; the lower plate is fixed within the piston groove and has a lower plate groove. A piston, airtightly disposed in the piston groove and the lower plate groove, and capable of vertical movement relative to each other, comprises a piston center groove, a steel ball groove, and a plurality of piston spring seats; the steel ball groove is recessed within the piston center groove, and the plurality of piston spring seats are evenly distributed and recessed at the top of the piston; An upper cover, corresponding to the piston and airtightly fixed to the base and the lower plate, airtightly covering the piston groove and the lower plate groove; the upper cover has an upper cover lower protruding sleeve, a plurality of upper cover ball holes, and a plurality of upper cover spring seats; the upper cover lower protruding sleeve allows the upper cover to be inserted into the piston center groove, the piston groove, and the lower plate groove; the plurality of upper cover ball holes are for housing a plurality of ball holes corresponding to ball grooves; the plurality of upper cover spring seats are for housing a plurality of springs corresponding to the plurality of piston spring seats; and A sensing mechanism is mounted on the base. The sensing mechanism has a sensing groove and a sensor. The sensing groove is recessed into the piston groove, with one end connected to the outside and the other end connected to the piston. The sensor has a sensing end and an extension end. The sensing end is located in the sensing groove and faces the piston, while the extension end is connected to the outside. The upper cover lower sleeve is designed for either clamping/positioning or releasing/removing actions of a working part. The working part includes a working plate and at least one clamped component, which is fixed below the working plate for clamping and positioning. The clamped component has a clamping recess. Therefore, when the working part, with at least one clamped member pre-extended into the upper cover's lower sleeve, and the plurality of springs, each with one end supporting the plurality of upper cover spring seats and the other end pushing against the plurality of piston spring seats, respectively, push the plurality of steel balls forward from the steel ball grooves through the plurality of upper cover steel ball holes, then respectively engage with the clamped recesses, and push the pistons towards the sensing end. When the pistons enter the sensing distance of the sensing end, the sensor outputs a confirmation signal through the extension end, thus achieving zero-point positioning of the working part; When a working airflow is supplied to the flow channel mechanism, this airflow pushes the piston upward from the top of the piston groove, simultaneously compressing the plurality of springs. This upward pull on the working part causes the plurality of steel balls to be pushed in the opposite direction from the clamped recess towards the plurality of upper cover steel ball holes, and then respectively enter the steel ball grooves, thus releasing and retracting the working part. The device for confirming zero-point positioning as described in claim 1, wherein the sensing distance is 1 ± 0.5 cm. The device for confirming zero-point positioning as described in claim 2, wherein the sensing distance is 0.72 cm. The device for confirming zero-point positioning as described in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a proximity switch. The device for confirming zero-point positioning as described in claim 1, wherein the confirmation signal is at least one of an audio signal and a light signal.