Abstract:
A device for coupling multiple connectors, comprising two connector supporting plates, one fixed and one movable, and two threaded members which are supported by the two plates; one of the members has a combined rotary and translatory motion for the coupling and uncoupling of the plates; the member provided with combined rotary and translatory motion is associated with a fluid-actuated actuator for the approach and spacing of the threaded members.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for coupling multiple connectors, of the type that comprises two connector supporting plates, particularly for pressure die-casting dies. 
     Devices for coupling the supporting plates of multiple connectors are already commercially available. 
     The plates, one fixed and one movable, are connected to threaded members, and the threaded member that is connected to the movable plate is formed by a rod which is provided with a threaded section and is supported for rotation by a movable ring integrated in the corresponding plate. 
     The movable ring is supported by a fixed frame by means of sliding guides that ensure the assembly thereof with a framework which forms the support for a motor which is designed to turn the rod. 
     The rotation rod is connected to the output shaft of the motor by means is of an intermediate shaft provided with a threaded section which cooperates with an internal thread of the frame in order to provide the longitudinal movement of the rod before the threaded section thereof cooperates with the other threaded member. 
     The rotation rod is connected in an angular manner to the intermediate shaft by means of a sliding joint which allows the rod to interrupt its advancement while it continues to be rotationally actuated. 
     Elastic elements cooperate with the guides, allowing to block the advancement of the movable ring, but not the rotation of the rod if the two threaded members do not couple as soon as they make contact. 
     In any case, this kind of device is not free from drawbacks. 
     The coupling between the threaded members in fact occurs in a rough manner, except in unusual cases, since the shoulders of the threads make contact first and collide with each other; at this point the geometry of the device allows to stop the translatory motion of the plates until the two threads mate. 
     Accordingly, the movements of the plates are not gradual and the geometry is particularly complicated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for coupling multiple connectors which solves the problems of conventional devices. 
     Within the scope of this aim, a consequent object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows the coupling of connectors gradually and not discontinuously. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which does not have a complicated geometry. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows to perform the approach and centering movement with limited force. 
     This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for coupling multiple connectors, comprising two connector supporting plates, one fixed and one movable, two threaded members which are supported by the two plates, one of said members having a combined rotary and translatory motion for the coupling and uncoupling of said plates, characterized in that the member provided with combined rotary and translatory motion is associated with a fluidactuated actuator for the approach and spacing of said threaded members. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a device according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along the line II—II; 
     FIG. 3 is another sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, taken along the line III—III; 
     FIG. 4 is a view of a detail of the device. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With particular reference to FIGS. 1 to  3 , a device having a structure according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
     The device  10  comprises two supporting plates for connectors  11 : one is fixed and designated by the reference numeral  12 , and the other one is movable and designated by the reference numeral  13 . 
     The fixed plate  12  supports a threaded member which is constituted by a shaft  14  with a threaded head  15 . 
     The shaft  14  rests on roller bearings  16 , of which one is rigidly coupled to the fixed plate  12  and another one is fitted on a box-like body  17  which is also rigidly coupled to the fixed plate  12  and arranged at the rear end of the shaft  14 . 
     Between the bearings  16 , the shaft  14  supports a first gear  18  keyed to the shaft and meshes with a second gear  19  keyed onto the shaft of a hydraulic motor  20  which is rigidly coupled to the fixed plate  12 . 
     Sleeves  23 , rigidly coupled to a fixed frame  21 , constitute seats for the sliding of corresponding rods  22  which support the fixed plate  12  at one end of the fixed frame  23  and form, at the other end, a framework  25  for supporting a fluid-actuated actuator  24 . 
     The framework  25  is constituted by a plate  26  which is indeed supported by the sleeves  23  and is connected to the frame by means of elastic elements  29  which are constituted by a screw  27  which passes through the plate  26  and screws onto the frame  21 . 
     The screw  27  compresses two helical springs  28  between the frame  21  and the plate  26  and between the plate  26  and a washer  43 . 
     The box-like body  17  which contains the means for connecting the shaft  14  to the motor  20  is provided with a cover  31  to which a locking cap  32  is fixed for a substantially cylindrical element  33  having an enlarged head and whose rear end is connected by means of a screw  34  to the head of the stem of the actuator  24 . 
     The plates  12  and  13  that support the connectors  11  are further provided with centering elements  35 . 
     The centering elements  35  are constituted by female elements  35   a , which are supported by the movable plate  13 , and by male elements  35   b , which are supported by the fixed plate  12 ; said male elements  35   b  are the head of said rods  22  which can slide within the sleeves  23 . 
     Also the connectors  11  are constituted by female elements  11 a which are supported by the movable plate  13  and by male elements  11   b  which are supported by the fixed plate  12  and have such a longitudinal extension that it is necessary to form through holes  42  in the frame  21  and the plate  26  of the framework  25 . 
     The fixed plate  12  is further provided with stroke limiters  36  which are arranged on the surface  37  that faces the movable plate  13  and on the opposite surface  38 . 
     Finally, the movable plate  13  is provided with a threaded member for coupling to the head  15  of the shaft  14 , which is constituted by an internally threaded bush  39  which is contained, with a slight play for orientation, within a cover-shaped support  40  rigidly coupled to the movable plate  13 . 
     The bush  39  is associated with elastic elements  41 . 
     During operation, from the position in which the connectors  11  are fully open, i.e., the position in which the movable plate  13  is adjacent to the frame  21 , the actuator  24  is actuated and moves the plate  13  toward the plate  12 . 
     When the two plates  12  and  13  are close, the centering elements  35  allow optimum alignment of the two threaded members also by way of the slight possibility of orientation of the plate  13  by means of the elastic elements  29  and of the bush  39 . 
     When the two threaded elements  15  and  39  are close one another, the actuator  24  is deactivated and the motor  20  is activated, turning the shaft  14 , which screws onto the bush  39 , and allowing the connection of the connectors  11 . 
     Since the connection of the connectors  11  is nonreversible, it also allows to use unions which are not self-retaining. 
     The stroke limiters  36  allow to detect the position of the movable plate  13  and therefore to know when to actuate and/or disconnect the motor  20  and the actuator  24 . 
     In practice it has been observed that the intended aim and objects of the present invention have been achieved. 
     The device in fact allows coupling of the connectors without sudden movements or collisions of elements, in a continuous and gradual manner. 
     Moreover, the geometry is not particularly complicated. 
     In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements. 
     The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept. 
     All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. 
     The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD99A000267 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.