Patent Publication Number: US-11648647-B2

Title: Pneumatic clamping device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a clamping device, and more particularly to a pneumatic clamping device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In many processes or production line instructions, vacuum suction nozzles and mechanical claws are often used at the same time to perform the clamping tasks. For example, a robotic claw is disclosed in Chinese Patent No. CN209551756. However, the structure of this robotic claw is complicated. In addition, the precise control and cooperation between the vacuum nozzle and the robotic claw is required to successfully complete the clamping task. In other words, the conventional technology needs to be further improved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a pneumatic clamping device. When the pneumatic clamping device is connected with the gas transportation pipeline for the original suction nozzle, the pneumatic clamping device is able to perform the clamping task smoothly. That is, the structure of the pneumatic clamping device is simple. In addition, it is not necessary to the largely change the instructions in the original process or production line. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a pneumatic clamping device is provided. The pneumatic clamping device includes a main body, a piston, a first linkage member and a second linkage member. The main body includes a first opening, a second opening, a chamber, a first pivotal part and a second pivotal part. The chamber is arranged between the first opening and the second opening. In addition, air is selectively introduced into the chamber or exited from the chamber through the first opening. The piston includes a head part and a pillar part. The head part is disposed within the chamber. The pillar part is connected with the head part and penetrated through the second opening. The first linkage member includes a first arm part, a second arm part and a first fulcrum part. The first arm part is installed on the pillar part. The first fulcrum part is installed on the first pivotal part. The first fulcrum part is connected with the first arm part and the second arm part. The second linkage member includes a third arm part, a fourth arm part and a second fulcrum part. The third arm part is installed on the pillar part. The second fulcrum part is installed on the second pivotal part. The second fulcrum part is connected with the third arm part and the fourth arm part. When the air is introduced into the chamber, the pillar part is gradually moved to push the first arm part and the third arm part, so that the second arm part is externally expanded relative to the fourth arm part. When the air is exited from the chamber, the pillar part is gradually moved to pull back the first arm part and the third arm part, so that the second arm part is internally retracted relative to the fourth arm part. 
     In an embodiment, the pneumatic clamping device is connected with an inflation/deflation device. When the inflation/deflation device performs a deflation operation, the air is exited from the chamber. When the inflation/deflation device performs an inflation operation, the air is introduced into the chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the pneumatic clamping device further includes a connector. The connector is coupled with the first opening, and the connector is connected with a gas transportation pipeline. 
     In an embodiment, the pneumatic clamping device further includes a first claw and a second claw. The first claw is connected with the second arm part. The second claw is connected with the fourth arm part. 
     In an embodiment, the main body further includes a sealing cover. The sealing cover is a part of the chamber. The second opening is formed in the sealing cover. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a pneumatic clamping device is provided. The pneumatic clamping device includes a main body, a piston and a first linkage member. The main body includes a first opening, a second opening, a chamber and a first pivotal part. The chamber is arranged between the first opening and the second opening. In addition, air is selectively introduced into the chamber or exit from the chamber through the first opening. The piston includes a head part and a pillar part. The head part is disposed within the chamber. The pillar part is connected with the head part and penetrated through the second opening. The first linkage member includes a first arm part, a second arm part and a first fulcrum part. The first arm part is installed on the pillar part. The first fulcrum part is installed on the first pivotal part. The first fulcrum part is connected with the first arm part and the second arm part. When the air is introduced into the chamber, the pillar part is gradually moved to push the first arm part, and the second arm part is rotated relative to the first fulcrum part. When the air is exited from the chamber, the pillar part is gradually moved to pull back the first arm part, and the second arm part is reversely rotated relative to the first fulcrum part. 
     In an embodiment, the main body further includes a second pivotal part. The first pivotal part and the second pivotal part are located at two opposite sides of the main body, respectively. 
     In an embodiment, the pneumatic clamping device further includes a second linkage member, and the second linkage member includes a third arm part, a fourth arm part and a second fulcrum part. The third arm part is installed on the pillar part. The second fulcrum part is installed on the second pivotal part. The second fulcrum part is connected with the third arm part and the fourth arm part. When the air is introduced into the chamber, the pillar part is gradually moved to push the third arm part, and the fourth arm part is rotated relative to the second fulcrum part. When the air is exited from the chamber, the pillar part is gradually moved to pull back the third arm part, and the fourth arm part is reversely rotated relative to the second fulcrum part. 
     In an embodiment, the pneumatic clamping device is connected with an inflation/deflation device. When the inflation/deflation device performs a deflation operation, the air is exited from the chamber. When the inflation/deflation device performs an inflation operation, the air is introduced into the chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the pneumatic clamping device further includes a connector. The connector is coupled with the first opening, and the connector is connected with a gas transportation pipeline. 
     In an embodiment, the pneumatic clamping device further includes a first claw and a second claw. The first claw is connected with the second arm part. The second claw is connected with the fourth arm part. 
     In an embodiment, the main body further includes a sealing cover. The sealing cover is a part of the chamber. The second opening is formed in the sealing cover. 
     The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view illustrating a pneumatic clamping device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic cutaway view illustrating the pneumatic clamping device as shown in  FIG.  1    and taken along the line  2 - 2 ; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the assembled structure of the main body and the piston of the pneumatic clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic exploded view illustrating the relationship between the main body and the piston of the pneumatic clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic exploded view illustrating the relationships between the linkage members and the corresponding claws of the pneumatic clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the assembled structure of the linkage members and the corresponding claws of the pneumatic clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the relationship between the linkage members and the main body of the pneumatic clamping device before the assembling process; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the relationship between the linkage members and the main body of the pneumatic clamping device during the assembling process; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the relationship between the linkage members and the main body of the pneumatic clamping device after the assembling process; 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the condition before or after the object is clamped by the pneumatic clamping device; and 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the condition when the object is clamped by the pneumatic clamping device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. In the following embodiments and drawings, the elements irrelevant to the concepts of the present invention are omitted and not shown. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic perspective view illustrating a pneumatic clamping device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  2    is a schematic cutaway view illustrating the pneumatic clamping device as shown in  FIG.  1    and taken along the line  2 - 2 .  FIG.  3    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the assembled structure of the main body and the piston of the pneumatic clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  4    is a schematic exploded view illustrating the relationship between the main body and the piston of the pneumatic clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  5    is a schematic exploded view illustrating the relationships between the linkage members and the corresponding claws of the pneumatic clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  6    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the assembled structure of the linkage members and the corresponding claws of the pneumatic clamping device according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  7    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the relationship between the linkage members and the main body of the pneumatic clamping device before the assembling process.  FIG.  8    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the relationship between the linkage members and the main body of the pneumatic clamping device during the assembling process.  FIG.  9    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the relationship between the linkage members and the main body of the pneumatic clamping device after the assembling process. 
     The present invention provides a pneumatic clamping device. An example of the pneumatic clamping device  1  will be illustrated with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  9   . The pneumatic clamping device  1  comprises a main body  10 , a piston  20 , a first linkage member  30 , a second linkage member  40 , a first claw  50  and a second claw  60 . 
     The main body  10  comprises a first opening  11 , a second opening  12 , a chamber  13 , a first pivotal part  14 , a second pivotal part  15  and a sealing cover  16 . The chamber  13  is arranged between the first opening  11  and the second opening  12 . The air can be introduced into the chamber  13  or exited from the chamber  13  through the first opening  11 . The first pivotal part  14  and the second pivotal  15  are located at two opposite sides of the main body  10 , respectively. 
     The piston  20  comprises a head part  21  and a pillar part  22 . The head part  21  is disposed within the chamber  13 . The pillar part  22  is connected with the head part  21  and penetrated through the second opening  12 . 
     Please refer to  FIGS.  2 ,  3  and  4   . The sealing cover  16  is a part of the chamber  13 . In addition, the second opening  12  is formed in the sealing cover  16 . After the piston  20  is placed into the chamber  13  as shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the head part  21  of the piston  20  is sealed in the chamber  13  by the sealing cover  16 . Consequently, the head part  21  of the piston  20  is only permitted to be moved within the chamber  13 . However, the pillar part  22  of the piston  20  is exposed outside through the second opening  12 . In addition, plural tapped holes  17  are formed in the main body  10 . Moreover, plural countersunk holes  161  (or pivotal holes) are correspondingly formed in the sealing cover  16 . Consequently, after plural screws  71  are penetrated through the corresponding countersunk holes  161  and tightened into the corresponding tapped holes  17 , the sealing cover  16  is fixed on the main body  10 . 
     The first linkage member  30  comprises a first arm part  31 , a second arm part  32  and a first fulcrum part  33 . The first fulcrum part  33  is served as the fulcrum of the first leakage member  30 . The first fulcrum part  33  is connected with the first arm part  31  and the second arm part  32 . After the first linkage member  30  is assembled with the main body  10 , the first arm part  31  is installed on the pillar part  22 , and the first fulcrum part  33  is installed on the first pivotal part  14 . 
     The second linkage member  40  comprises a third arm part  41 , a fourth arm part  42  and a second fulcrum part  43 . The second fulcrum part  43  is served as the fulcrum of the second leakage member  40 . The second fulcrum part  43  is connected with the third arm part  41  and the fourth arm part  42 . After the second linkage member  40  is assembled with the main body  10 , the third arm part  41  is installed on the pillar part  22 , and the second fulcrum part  43  is installed on the second pivotal part  15 . 
     In the pneumatic clamping device  1  of this embodiment, the first claw  50  and the second claw  60  can be used to clamp objects with different shapes or sizes. The first claw  50  is connected with the second arm part  32  of the first leakage member  30 . The second claw  60  is connected with the fourth arm part  42  of the second leakage member  40 . Please refer to  FIGS.  5  and  6   . In this embodiment, a tapped hole  51  is formed in the first claw  50 , and a countersunk hole  321  (or a pivotal hole) is formed in the second arm part  32 . After a screw  71  is penetrated through the countersunk hole  321  and tightened into the tapped hole  51 , the first claw  50  is fixed on the second arm part  32 . Similarly, a tapped hole  61  is formed in the second claw  60 , and a countersunk hole  421  (or a pivotal hole) is formed in the fourth arm part  42 . After a screw  71  is penetrated through the countersunk hole  421  and tightened into the tapped hole  61 , the second claw  60  is fixed on the fourth arm part  42 . It is noted that the method of connecting the first claw  50  with the second arm part  32  and the method of connecting the second claw  60  with the fourth arm leg  42  are not restricted. For example, the detachable connecting method or the non-detachable connecting method are feasible. 
     Please refer to  FIGS.  3  to  9    again. In the pneumatic clamping device  1 , a pivotal hole  141  is formed in the first pivotal part  14  of the main body  10 , and a pivotal hole  331  is formed in the first fulcrum part  33  of the first leakage member  30 . In the pneumatic clamping device  1 , a first shaft  72  is penetrated through the pivotal holes  141  and  331 . Consequently, the first fulcrum part  33  is installed on the first pivotal part  14 , and the first fulcrum part  33  and the first pivotal part  14  are rotatable relative to each other. A groove  721  is formed in the first shaft  72 . After the first shaft  72  is penetrated through the pivotal holes  141  and  331 , an E-shaped ring  73  is locked in the groove  721 . Consequently, the first shaft  72  is not detached from the pivotal holes  141  and  331 . Similarly, a pivotal hole  151  is formed in the second pivotal part  15  of the main body  10 , and a pivotal hole  431  is formed in the second fulcrum part  43  of the second leakage member  40 . In the pneumatic clamping device  1 , a second shaft  72  is penetrated through the pivotal holes  151  and  431 . Consequently, the second fulcrum part  43  is installed on the second pivotal part  15 , and the second fulcrum part  43  and the second pivotal part  15  are rotatable relative to each other. A groove  721  is formed in the second shaft  72 . After the second shaft  72  is penetrated through the pivotal holes  151  and  431 , an E-shaped ring  73  is locked in the groove  721 . Consequently, the second shaft  72  is not detached from the pivotal holes  151  and  431 . 
     Please refer to  FIGS.  3  to  9    again. In the pneumatic clamping device  1 , a pivotal hole  221  is formed in the pillar part  22  of the piston  20 . A pivotal hole  331  is formed in the first arm part  31  of the first leakage member  30 , and a pivotal hole  411  is formed in the third arm part  41  of the second leakage member  40 . In the pneumatic clamping device  1 , a third shaft  72  is penetrated through the pivotal holes  331 ,  221  and  411 . Consequently, the first arm part  31  and the third arm part  41  are installed on the pillar part  22 . In addition, the first arm part  31  and the pillar part  22  are rotatable relative to each other, and the third arm  41  and the pillar part  22  are rotatable relative to each other. A groove  721  is formed in the third shaft  72 . After the third shaft  72  is penetrated through the pivotal holes  331 ,  221  and  411 , an E-shaped ring  73  is locked in the groove  721 . Consequently, the third shaft  72  is not detached from the pivotal holes  311 ,  221  and  411 . 
     In the pneumatic clamping device  1 , the first opening  11  is in communication with the surroundings. For example, the first opening  11  is connected with an inflation/deflation device  80 . The inflation/deflation device  80  can selectively perform an inflation operation or a deflation operation. When the deflation operation is performed, the air is exited from the chamber  13  through the first opening  11 . When the inflation operation is performed, the air is introduced into the chamber  13  through the first opening  11 . In order to be connected with the inflation/deflation device  80 , the pneumatic clamping device  1  further comprises a connector  90 . The connector  90  is coupled with the first opening  11 . After the connector  90  is connected with a gas transportation pipeline  100 , the gas transportation pipeline  100  is connected with the inflation/deflation device  80  through the connector  90 . Moreover, the gas transportation pipeline  100  uses the pipeline for the suction nozzle in the original process or production line. Consequently, when the pneumatic clamping device  1  is connected with the gas transportation pipeline for the original suction nozzle, the pneumatic clamping device  1  is able to perform the clamping task smoothly. 
       FIG.  10    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the condition before or after the object is clamped by the pneumatic clamping device. Please refer to  FIG.  10   . After the air is introduced into the chamber  13 , the pillar part  22  is gradually moved to externally push the first arm part  31  and the third arm part  41 . During this process, the second arm part  32  is rotated relative to the first fulcrum part  33  (i.e., the rotation center), and the fourth arm part  42  is rotated relative to the second fulcrum part  43  (i.e., the rotation center). Afterwards, the second arm part  32  is externally expanded relative to the fourth arm part  42 , or the fourth arm part  42  is externally expanded relative to the second arm part  32 . In this stage, the pneumatic clamping device  1  can be moved toward a to-be-clamped object  110 , or the to-be-clamped object  110  can be moved toward the pneumatic clamping device  1 . 
       FIG.  11    is a schematic perspective view illustrating the condition when the object is clamped by the pneumatic clamping device. Please refer to  FIG.  11   . When the pneumatic clamping device  1  and the to-be-clamped object  110  are placed at the proper positions, the deflation operation is performed and thus the air is gradually exited from the chamber  13 . Meanwhile, the pillar part  22  is gradually moved to internally pull back the first arm part  31  and the third arm part  41 , and the second arm part  32  and the fourth arm part  42  are reversely rotated relative to the first fulcrum part  33  and second fulcrum part  43  (i.e., the rotation centers), respectively. Afterwards, the second arm part  32  is internally retracted relative to the fourth arm part  42 , or the fourth arm part  42  is internally retracted relative to the second arm part  32 . In addition, the second arm part  32  and the fourth arm part  42  are moved toward the to-be-clamped object  110  to clamp the to-be-clamped object  110 . As the pneumatic clamping device  1  is moved, the to-be-clamped object  110  is correspondingly moved to another place. After the to-be-clamped object  110  is moved to fixed position, the reversed operation is performed. That is, the deflation operation is stopped, or the inflation operation is started. Consequently, the air is introduced into the chamber  13 . At the same time, the pillar part  22  is gradually moved to externally push the first arm part  31  and the third arm part  41 . Consequently, the pneumatic clamping device  1  releases the to-be-clamped object  110 . 
     From the above descriptions, the present invention provides the pneumatic clamping device  1 . After the air is introduced into the chamber  13 , the pillar part  22  is gradually moved to externally push the first arm part  31  and the third arm part  41 . Consequently, the second arm part  32  is externally expanded relative to the fourth arm part  42 , or the fourth arm part  42  is externally expanded relative to the second arm part  32 . It is noted that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, in another embodiment, the pillar part  22  is gradually moved to externally push the first arm part  31  or the third arm part  41  only. In this way, the purpose of externally expanding the second arm part  32  relative to the fourth arm part  42  or externally expanding the fourth arm part  42  relative to the second arm part  32  is also achievable. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications and similar structures.