Connecting device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12103123-B2
Application number	US-202017770743-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 8, 2020
Priority date	Oct 22, 2019
Publication date	Oct 1, 2024
Grant date	Oct 1, 2024

Abstract

A base plate ( 21 ) is attached to a side wall surface of a pallet (P). A connecting rod ( 22 ) provided so as to protrude from the base plate ( 21 ) is configured to be movable on a surface ( 21 a ) of the base plate ( 21 ). An insertion hole ( 18 ) is provided in a housing ( 1 ) attached to a robot arm (R), and the connecting rod ( 22 ) is inserted in the insertion hole ( 18 ). Two pins ( 23 and 24 ) extending in parallel to an axial direction of the connecting rod ( 22 ) are provided so as to protrude from the base plate ( 21 ). The pins ( 23 and 24 ) are respectively inserted in support holes ( 19 and 20 ) of the housing ( 1 ).

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A connecting device configured to detachably connect a first block (R) and a second block (P) to each other, the connecting device comprising:
a cylinder hole ( 2 ) provided in a housing ( 1 ) to be attached to the first block (R);
an output member ( 5 ) inserted in the cylinder hole ( 2 ) so as to be movable in an axial direction of the cylinder hole ( 2 );
a plurality of engagement members ( 16 , 38 ) supported by the housing ( 1 ) or by the output member ( 5 ) so as to be movable in a radial direction of the cylinder hole ( 2 ), the engagement members ( 16 , 38 ) being configured to be moved inward in the radial direction by movement of the output member ( 5 ) in the axial direction;
an insertion hole ( 18 ) opening onto a leading end surface of the housing ( 1 );
at least one support hole ( 19 ), ( 20 ) provided in the housing ( 1 ) so as to extend in parallel to an axial direction of the insertion hole ( 18 );
a connecting rod ( 22 ) provided so as to protrude from a base plate ( 21 ) to be attached to a side wall surface of the second block (P), the connecting rod ( 22 ) being configured to be movable on a surface ( 21 a ) of the base plate ( 21 ) and to be insertable into the insertion hole ( 18 );
an engaged portion ( 34 ) provided on an outer peripheral wall of the connecting rod ( 22 ) in its circumferential direction so as to be contactable with the engagement members ( 16 , 38 ); and
at least one support member ( 23 ), ( 24 ) provided so as to protrude from the base plate ( 21 ) in parallel to an axial direction of the connecting rod ( 22 ), the support member ( 23 ), ( 24 ) being configured to be inserted in the support hole ( 19 ), ( 20 ).

2. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein:
a tubular support member ( 14 ) is provided in the cylinder hole ( 2 ) so as to protrude from a leading end wall ( 1 b ) of the housing ( 1 ) toward a base end side in the axial direction;
guide holes ( 15 ) are bored through a tubular wall of the support member ( 14 ) in the radial direction of the cylinder hole ( 2 );
the engagement members ( 16 ) are respectively inserted in the guide holes ( 15 ) so as to be movable in the radial direction;
a wedge portion ( 17 ) configured to be contactable with the engagement members ( 16 ) is provided on an inner peripheral wall of the output member ( 5 ); and
the insertion hole ( 18 ), structured by a tubular hole of the support member ( 14 ), opens onto the leading end surface of the housing ( 1 ).

3. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein:
a portion of the output member ( 5 ) has a tubular shape, and guide holes ( 37 ) are bored through a tubular wall of the output member ( 5 ) in the radial direction of the cylinder hole ( 2 );
the engagement members ( 38 ) are respectively inserted in the guide holes ( 37 ) so as to be movable in the radial direction; and
a wedge portion ( 39 ) configured to be contactable with the engagement members ( 38 ) is provided on an inner peripheral wall of the cylinder hole ( 2 ).

4. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one support member ( 23 ), ( 24 ) includes a first support member ( 23 ) and a second support member ( 24 ), which are provided so as to protrude from the base plate ( 21 ) with the connecting rod ( 22 ) interposed between the first and second support members ( 23 and 24 );
the at least one support hole ( 19 ), ( 20 ) includes a first support hole ( 19 ) with a circular hole shape, into which the first support member ( 23 ) is to be inserted, and a second support hole ( 20 ) with a circular hole shape, into which the second support member ( 24 ) is to be inserted;
the first support member ( 23 ) has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall; and
the second support member ( 24 ) has projecting portions ( 24 a ) respectively provided on both sides of a cylindrical outer peripheral wall of the second support member ( 24 ) in a direction crossing a direction connecting the first support member ( 23 ) to the second support member ( 24 ).

5. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one support member ( 23 ), ( 24 ) includes a first support member ( 23 ) and a second support member ( 24 ), which are provided so as to protrude from the base plate ( 21 ) with the connecting rod ( 22 ) interposed between the first and second support members ( 23 and 24 );
the at least one support hole ( 19 ), ( 20 ) includes a first support hole ( 19 ) with a circular hole shape, into which the first support member ( 23 ) is to be inserted, and a second support hole ( 20 ) with a circular hole shape, into which the second support member ( 24 ) is to be inserted;
the first support member ( 23 ) has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall; and
the second support member ( 24 ) has an oval prism shape, a longitudinal axis of an oval of the oval prism shape extending in a direction crossing a direction connecting the first support member ( 23 ) to the second support member ( 24 ).

6. The connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one support member ( 23 ), ( 24 ) includes a first support member ( 23 ) and a second support member ( 24 ), which are provided so as to protrude from the base plate ( 21 ) with the connecting rod ( 22 ) interposed between the first and second support members ( 23 and 24 );
the at least one support hole ( 19 ), ( 20 ) includes a first support hole ( 19 ) with a circular hole shape, into which the first support member ( 23 ) is to be inserted, and a second support hole ( 20 ) with an elongated hole shape, into which the second support member ( 24 ) is to be inserted, a longitudinal axis of the elongated hole shape extending in a direction connecting the first support hole ( 19 ) to the second support hole ( 20 ); and
each of the first support member ( 23 ) and the second support member ( 24 ) has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall.

7. The connecting device according to claim 2 , wherein:
the at least one support member ( 23 ), ( 24 ) includes a first support member ( 23 ) and a second support member ( 24 ), which are provided so as to protrude from the base plate ( 21 ) with the connecting rod ( 22 ) interposed between the first and second support members ( 23 and 24 );
the at least one support hole ( 19 ), ( 20 ) includes a first support hole ( 19 ) with a circular hole shape, into which the first support member ( 23 ) is to be inserted, and a second support hole ( 20 ) with a circular hole shape, into which the second support member ( 24 ) is to be inserted;
the first support member ( 23 ) has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall; and
the second support member ( 24 ) has projecting portions ( 24 a ) respectively provided on both sides of a cylindrical outer peripheral wall of the second support member ( 24 ) in a direction crossing a direction connecting the first support member ( 23 ) to the second support member ( 24 ).

8. The connecting device according to claim 3 , wherein:
the at least one support member ( 23 ), ( 24 ) includes a first support member ( 23 ) and a second support member ( 24 ), which are provided so as to protrude from the base plate ( 21 ) with the connecting rod ( 22 ) interposed between the first and second support members ( 23 and 24 );
the at least one support hole ( 19 ), ( 20 ) includes a first support hole ( 19 ) with a circular hole shape, into which the first support member ( 23 ) is to be inserted, and a second support hole ( 20 ) with a circular hole shape, into which the second support member ( 24 ) is to be inserted;
the first support member ( 23 ) has a cylindrical outer peripheral wall; and
the second support member ( 24 ) has projecting portions ( 24 a ) respecti

Assignees

• Kosmek Ltd

Inventors

• Okumura Noriaki

Classifications

• F16B21/165 Primary

  with balls or rollers (for connections of rods or tubes engaged telescopically F16B7/1409) · CPC title

• B23Q3/00

  Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine (work-tables or other parts, e.g. faceplates, normally not incorporating means for securing work B23Q1/00; automatic position control B23Q15/00 {; food cutting boards A47J47/00; workpiece support for dies B21D37/02}; rotary tool heads for turning-machines B23B3/24, B23B3/26; non-driven tool holders B23B29/00; general features of turrets B23B29/24 {; drawbars in spindles B23B31/261; for electrical discharge machining B23H11/003; for welding B23K37/04; means for securing grinding wheels B24B45/00; mountings for abrasive wheels B24D5/16}; tools or bench devices for fastening, connecting, disengaging or holding B25B {; chucks for percussive tools B25D17/084; work benches for manual work B25H1/00; devices for securing circular saw blades B27B5/32; for assembling or manufacturing aircrafts B64F5/10; devices for holding circuit boards H05K13/0061; for holding semiconductors or wafers H10P72/00}) · CPC title

• F16B2/16 Primary

  using rollers or balls {(clamps for rods or tubes telescopically engaged F16B7/1409; used in anti-theft monitors, e.g. as used for articles of clothing in shops E05B73/0017)} · CPC title

• B23Q1/0072

  using a clamping opening for receiving an insertion bolt or nipple · CPC title

• B23P19/04 Primary

  for assembling or disassembling parts · CPC title