METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LOCKING ROTARY BODIES

Abstract: A method and device for releasably locking a body which rotates about an axis to a stationary body in which the said rotating body bears an integral rotating annular or disc member which is symmetrical with respect to the said axis of rotation and in which in accordance with the invention stationary clamping or gripping locking means (11), such as for example a calliper brake, straddle the said annular or disc member (D) in order when activated to tighten against the opposing sides of the said annular or disc member (D) and at least one elastically flexible friction member (12) integral with the said stationary body (B) is placed between the said annular or disc member (D) and the said locking means (11) in such a way that when the said locking means (11) are activated they lock the said rotating body (P) in relation to the stationary body (B) by means of the said at least one flexible friction member (12) pressed against the said annular or disc member (D).

Description: Method and device for locking rotary bodies This invention relates to a method and device for releasably locking a body which rotates about an axis to a stationary body in which the said rotating body bears an integral rotating annular or disc member which is symmetrical with respect to the said axis of rotation. This invention applies preferably to the static releasable locking of for example a rotating plate with respect to a corresponding mounting, or a hub or shaft rotating integrally with a disc with respect to a stationary support. Currently known releasable devices for locking bodies which rotate about an axis to a stationary body as specified above have one or more of the following disadvantages: - the relative position of the two bodies is altered in order to achieve locking, - in particular the rotating body and/or the annular or disc member integral therewith may be subjected to elastic deformation through being placed in contact with the stationary body or auxiliary locking means, - fixed immovable locking is not achieved, - although the rotating body and the stationary body are both immobilised, their relative positioning during static locking may be altered, giving rise to uncertainty in the final relative position of the two bodies when locked. This disadvantage may also depend on, among other things, manufacturing tolerances and plays, - the position of the rotating body while locking is in progress is subject to unchangeable predetermined positioning constraints with respect to the stationary body, as a result of which absolute locking (without preexisting links) is impossible- Given the abovementioned disadvantages, this invention proposes to eliminate them. In particular the principal object of this invention is to provide a method and device for releasably locking a body which rotates about an axis to a stationary body, in which the said rotating body has an integral rotating annular or disc member which is symmetrical with respect to the said axis of rotation, whereby: - the relative position of the two bodies is not in any way altered in order to effect locking of one with respect to the other, - in particular neither of the bodies nor the annular or disc member integral with the rotating body are subjected to dynamic deformations or forces positioning them in mutual contact with or in relation to any auxiliary mean of locking, - fixed immobile locking in which the relative position of the two bodies is maintained stable through the time for which they are locked is achieved, - the moving body is locked with respect to the stationary body such that when the two bodies are immobile their relative positions during locking and therefore when locking is complete are not in any way altered, avoiding any margin of uncertainty concerning the effective final relative position of the said two bodies when locked, - particularly immobile locking between the rotating body and the stationary body is achieved and can be achieved when the rotating body is in any position of angular rotation with respect to the stationary body. A further object is to provide a locking method and device as specified which are simple and economical to implement and secure and reliable in use. In order to accomplish these objects this invention provides a method for releasably locking a body which rotates about an axis to a stationary body in which the said rotating body has an integral rotating annular disc member which is symmetrical with respect to the said axis of rotation, essentially characterised in that - - - stationary clamping or gripping locking means, such as for example a calliper brake, straddle the said annular or disc member to lock when activated by applying pressure to the opposing sides of the said annular or disc member and at least one elastically flexible friction member which is integral with the said stationary body is placed between the said annular or disc member and the said locking means in such a way that when the locking means are activated these cause the rotating body to be locked with respect to the stationary body through the intermediary of at least one flexible friction member pressed against the said annular or disc member. Advantageously the said locking means are provided with limited freedom to tilt and move with respect to the said annular or disc member. In view of the above objects and to implement the said method the invention also provides a device for releasably locking a body rotating about an axis to a stationary body in which the said rotating body bears an integral rotating annular or disc member which is symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation, essentially characterised in that it comprises stationary clamping or gripping locking means, such as for example a calliper brake, which when activated lock by pressing against the opposing sides of the said annular or disc member, and at least one elastically flexible friction member integral with the said stationary body and placed between one side of the said annular or disc member and the said locking means to be pressed following activation of the said locking means against the opposing side of the said annular or disc member in such a way as to ensure locking by friction of the said rotating body to the stationary body in cooperation with the said locking means. Preferably this elastically flexible friction member yields elastically more readily then the said annular or disc member. Advantageously the said locking means are mounted with limited freedom to tilt and move with respect to the said annular or disc member so as to adapt to the variable geometry of the system when activated. The main advantages of the locking method and device according to the invention are essentially as follows: - the relative position of two stationary and rotating bodies is not altered in order to achieve locking, - in particular neither the rotating body nor the rotating annular or disc member integral therewith is subjected to any deformation in order to be placed in contact with the stationary body or auxiliary locking means, - locking of appreciable rigidity and immobility is achieved, - when locked with the bodies immobile the relative position of the rotating body with respect to the stationary body is not subjected to any change and manufacturing tolerances and plays therefore have no influence on locking, avoiding any uncertainty in the final positioning of the two locked bodies with respect to each other, - absolute positional locking is obtained, that is locking which is independent of any predetermined constraints on the position of the rotating body with respect to the stationary body, - a distributed clamping effect which is uniform with respect to the affected portion of the annular or disc member is achieved by means of the elastically flexible friction member on locking and no differences in static equilibrium before and after locking or in dynamic forces and reactions during locking itself therefore occur in the said bodies. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings which are provided by way of a non-restrictive example, in which: - Figure 1 is a plan view from above of a rotating worktable provided with a pair of locking devices according to the invention in a diametrically opposed arrangement, - Figure 2 is a view in elevation in the direction of arrow II in Figure 1, in which the parts are partially detached, - Figure 3 is a view in partial cross-section along the line III-III in Figure 1, in which the gripping locking means of the pair of locking devices according to the invention are activated in the locking position, - Figure 4 is a view similar to that in Figure 3, in which the gripping locking means are on the other hand illustrated in the resting position, - Figure 5 is a .plan view similar to that in Figure 1 but showing in diagrammatical form the hydraulic circuit supplying and controlling the gripping locking means of the locking devices. In the drawings T indicates a rotating work table. Table T has a stationary supporting base B with respect to which a rotating plate P, of circular perimeter, is rotatably supported through the intermediary of roller bearing means C (Figures 3, 4). A disc D having a circular ring of external diameter substantially corresponding to that of plate P, with respect to which the said disc D is axially spaced by means of an annular spacer PI integral with plate P, is fixed coaxially to rotating plate P. Disc D is therefore arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation of plate P and rotates integrally with the said plate in a plane substantially normal to the axis of rotation of the said plate. Rotating table T is provided with a pair of locking devices according to the invention, each of which is indicated as a whole by 10 (Figure 1), in a diametrically opposed arrangement. Each locking device 10 comprises stationary clamping or gripping locking means 11. In accordance with the example illustrated these locking means 11 consist of a hydraulically operated calliper brake in which each half calliper 11.1 has a pair of hydraulic cylinders 11.2 with pistons 11.3. The said gripping locking means 11 straddle disc D so that when activated they lock by pressing on the opposite sides of said disc D by means of pistons 11.3. In addition to this, in accordance with the example illustrated, each locking device 10 includes a pair of elastically flexible friction members 12 consisting of a pair of elastic metal plates which are made integral with respect to base B of rotating table T by attachment at their longitudinal extremities. Plates 12 yield elastically more readily than disc D. This pair of elastic plates 12 is assembled as a packet 12.1 (Figure 2) in which superimposed plates 12 are held spaced apart by plate end spacers 13. The packet of elastic plates 12 is assembled together and fixed with respect to base B by means of bolts 14 which pass through corresponding holes provided in the longitudinal end regions of plates 12, spacer plates 13 and base B. Bolts 14 screw into the said correspondingly threaded holes in base B. Each packet 12.1 of elastic plates 12 spans a corresponding recess Bl which opens laterally and upwardly in base B. Elastic plates 12 of packet 12.1 are arranged so that disc D can pass freely between them, each plate 12 being opposite a corresponding face of the said disc. Also in each locking device 10 gripping locking means 11 are associated with elastic plate packets 12.1 so that each half calliper 11.1 is opposite a corresponding elastic plate 12. Also said gripping locking means 11 simply rest with ample play (Figure 4) on plate packet 12.1 with which they are associated so that they have a .limited ability to tilt and move with respect to disc D adapting to the variable geometry of the gripper/elastic plate system with respect to the said disc. In Figure 5 Ml indicates means (illustrated diagrammatically) for the supply and pressurised fluid control of gripping locking means 11. The pressurised liquid, such as oil, is provided from means Ml via a first 2-way connection for pressurised liquid Rl and a corresponding pair of outlet pipes Cl to further 2-way connections R2 from which corresponding pairs of flexible hoses C2 depart branching to corresponding pressurised liquid connections R3 each in communication with a hydraulic cylinder 11.2 of gripping locking means 11 of locking devices 10. Operation: (Figures 3, 4) When hydraulic cylinders 11.2 of gripping locking means 11 are fed with pressurised liquid corresponding pistons 11.3 are forced to emerge partly and, pressing against elastic plates 12 of the plate package with which they are associated, cause these to bend elastically until they come into frictional contact with disc D, against which the plates are held by strong pressure. Rigid and immobile locking is achieved in this way (Figure 3). Through the limited mobility and tiltability of gripping locking means 11 with respect to elastic plate packet 12.1 and therefore with respect to disc D the said means can adopt an optimum position, adapting to the variable geometry of the gripper/elastic plate system, with respect to the said disc. It will be noted that the diametrically opposed arrangement of a pair of locking devices 10 ensures even better locking conditions from the point of view of dynamic and static equilibria. When conversely gripping means 11 are deactivated, for example by interrupting the feed of pressurised liquid to hydraulic cylinders 11.2, elastic plates 12 return elastically to their original position, releasing disc D, which can then be again placed in rotation about its own axis without any passive resistance due to locking devices 10 (Figure 4). It will be noted from Figure 4 that in this condition gripping locking means 11 are supported by means of a half calliper 11.1 directly against a plate 12 which supports them. Of course many variants may in practice be applied to what has been described and illustrated above by way of a non-restrictive example without going beyond the scope of the invention and therefore beyond the scope of these patent rights. Thus for example for each locking device it may be sufficient only to provide a single elastically flexible friction member (elastic plate) located between the annular or disc member and the clamping or gripping locking means and integral with respect to the stationary body. In this case the clamping or gripping locking means act directly against one side of the annular or disc member when locking, while the said locking means act against the other side by the intermediary of the said flexible friction member. The elastically flexible friction member may also be provided as a body integral with the said stationary body. Also the clamping or gripping locking means may have a different structure from that illustrated and described purely by way of a non-restrictive example. These may also be supported in a fixed position.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for releasably locking a body which rotates about an axis to a stationary body in which the said rotating body has an integral rotating annular or disc member which is symmetrical with respect to the said axis of rotation, characterised in that stationary clamping or gripping locking means (11), such as for example a calliper brake, straddle the said annular or disc member (D) to lock when activated by applying pressure on the opposite sides of the said annular or disc member (D) and at least one elastically flexible friction member (12) integral with said stationary body (B) is placed between said annular of disc member (D) and the said locking means (11) in such a way that when the said locking means (11) are activated they lock the said rotating body (P) to the stationary body (B) by means of at least one said flexible friction member (12) which is pressed against the said annular or disc member (D) . 2. Locking method according to claim 1, characterised in that the said locking means (11) are provided with limited ability to tilt and move with respect to the said annular or disc member (D). 3. Locking device for implementing the method according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises stationary clamping or gripping locking means (11), such as for example a calliper brake, which when activated lock by applying pressure to the opposite sides of the said annular or disc member (D) and at least one elastically flexible friction member (12) integral with the said stationary body (B) placed between the said annular or disc member (D) and the said locking means (11) to be pressed following activation of said locking means (11) against an opposite side of the said annular or disc member (D) so as to lock said rotating body (P) in relation to the stationary body (B) by friction acting together with the said locking means (11). 4. Locking device according to claim 3, characterised in that the said elastically flexible friction member (12) yields elastically more readily then the said annular or disc member (D). 5. Locking device according to claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the said locking means (11) are mounted with limited ability to tilt and move with respect to the said annular or disc member (D) so as when activated to adjust to the variable geometry of the system formed by the said locking means (11) and by the said at least one elastically flexible friction member (12). 6. Locking device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that it comprises a pair of elastically flexible friction members (12) and that the said pair of elastically flexible friction members (12) is assembled in the form of a packet (12.1) in which the elastically flexible members (12) are superimposed on top of each other and are spaced apart by means of spacers (13), the members (12) in the packet (12.1) being arranged so that said annular or disc member (D) can pass between them and each is opposite one corresponding side of the said annular or disc member. 7. Locking device according to claim 6, characterised in that the said clamping or gripping locking means (11) are associated with the packet (12.1) of elastically flexible members (12) so that each of the two locking parts (half calliper 11.1) opposes a corresponding elastically flexible member (12), said locking means (11) resting with play against the packet (12.1) with which they are associated so as to have limited ability to tilt and move with respect to the annular or disc member (D). 8. Locking device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that the said at least one elastically flexible friction member (12) consists of an elastic metal plate.

Inventors: GNANI ROBERTO, GNANI, ROBERTO
Applicants: GNANI DARIO, GNANI ROBERTO, GNANI, DARIO, GNANI, ROBERTO
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B23Q1
IPC codes: B23Q1, F16B1, F16D55