CA2101425A1

CA2101425A1 - Modular system, in particular for the clamping of work pieces

Info

Publication number: CA2101425A1
Application number: CA002101425A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jorg Wiemers; Frank Wiemers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-12-02
Filing date: 1992-10-21
Publication date: 1993-06-03
Also published as: MX9206905A; TW248538B; EP0568660A1; CN1072876A; BR9205486A; JPH06505443A; IL103871A; PT101095A; DE4139669C2; WO1993010940A1; DE4139669A1; IL103871A0; CZ282768B6; AU2768292A; TR26385A; HUT69571A; HU216000B; NO932352D0; DE59206242D1; AU654404B2

Abstract

ABSTRACT

In a modular system, in particular for the construction of devices for holding, clamping, and/or positioning work pieces, there is a base part (1) that extends in the X-Y planes and at least one clamping part (2) that can be secured of this in various selectable positions. The base part (1) incorporates elevations (3) that are arranged in the X-Y planes in a grid pattern, these elevations having surfaces that are configured as supporting surfaces (4). Each of these elevations (3) has reference surfaces (11) that face in the Z-direction and incorporated undercut areas that serve to accommodate connecting elements. The connecting elements extend between the elevations (3) and the clamping part (2). On each elevation there are two reference surfaces (5; 6) that are spaced one above the other and spaced apart. The reference surfaces are separated from each other by the undercut areas. The modular system permits a high level of flexibility in positioning or determining position, while ensuring a high degree of stability and precise replication. Connection is effected by connecting elements that fit positively between the base part (1) and the clamping part (2).

Description

2~

:, -A MODULAR SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR FOR CLAMPING
WORK PIECES

TEC~NICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a modular system as de~ined in the preambl~ to patent claim 1.

PRIOR ART

In a known device of this kind, the base plate o~ the device incorporates T-grooves that are so arranged as to cross each other to ~or~ a grid and serve to accommodate a T-nut that has an interior thread. The area of the T-groove that faces upwards, and which is restricted, is not only designed to allow screws to pass through it but is, at the same time, de~igned as a fitting groove. The clamping part, which lies upon the supporting sur~ace of the base plate o~ the device has, on its underneath supporting sur~ace a T-groove that form a ~irror image o~ the ~ --~irst T-groove re~erred to above. A double-T-nut, which is a precise fit, is inserted into the ad~acent and aligned T-grooves.
The double-T-nut is designed so a-~ to be divided and the part~
are drawn together by a common connecting screw. The stability Or this connection is determined, eæsentially, by the strength o~
the screw connection. The double-T-nut, which is a ~itting and clamping element, must accommodate the shear ~orce~ in the X-direction or the Y-direction. The greater the number of ~ -connections of this kind that are incorporated in the structure, the greater the errors in precision and losses o~ stability. A
further, signi~icant disadvantage of the known device is the fact that drilled holes and grooves are required to provide accessibility to the connecting elements. These serve exclusively to secure the parts of the device to each other. The '1 : ' 21 ~1~2 work piece or device supports that are so constructed are o~
limited use because o~ the openings that have to be provided.

In addition, DE-PS 34 07 003 describes a clamping device for machine tools, in which the strength o~ the connection between the base part and the clamping part or between the members themselv~s is not determined by screws. This known device incorporates an arrangement of parallel dove-tail grooves in the base part. Narrower ribs or rails of the associated counterpart, that are, however, complementary to the ~irst-named groove~ as ~ar as arrangement and shape are concerned, engage in these first-named grooves. The angles of the slanting edges o~ the grooves are identical. The grooves are selected so as to be wide enough that the rails can always be inserted into the grooves from above. The space in the corresponding groove that is left ~ree by the complementary rail is filled by a clamp strip in order to connect the two parts to each other rigidly and immovably onca ad~ustment ha~ been completed. Although the strength Or the connection between the base part and the associatQd counterpart or clamping part is not determinod by th~
strength of a screw connection, in this instance, there are, however, no reference sur~aces that extend in the Z-direction.
The incorporation o~ inclined referQnce surfaces not only restricts the ~lexibility of this known system very considerably in comparison to the known solution that incorporatQs double-T-nuts; the known syste~ with inclined reference sur~aces on dove-tailed grooves i8 also comparatively costly to manufacture.

THE INVENTION

Proceeding ~rom this state of the art, it i8 the task of the present invention to combine the advantages o~ various systems with each other without incorporating the disadvantages o~ each.
The modular system that is to be created is meant to provide great ~lexibility in positioning or in determining position. - -' ' : ," ', ", .' ' ' ' " ' " ' ' " ' '., , " , ' ' ,:,, ' " ~ .' ,, ' ',, ' ,' . ", " " ' " ~ ", ' ', .", : " ~ ' , :

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Furthermore, the new modular system is intended to provide ~or rapid replication, with a high degree of stability and consistency, without any need for supplementary measuring means or measure~Qnts. The modular systQm according to the pre~ent inv~ntion is intended to make secure and reliable connection by means of connecting elements that engage positively between the base part and the clamping part.

According to the present invention, this has been done in that on each elevation there are, in each instance, two eparate re~erence sur~aces are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other, and are spaced apart above each other by undercutting.

In a preferred embodiment, the re~erence sur~aces are aligned.
.
Pre~erred configurations o~ the present invention are described ~-in th~ subordinate claims.

The provision o~ two re~erence surfaces that are o~set relative to each other in the Z-direction and are both recessed behind the supporting sur~ace of the base part entails the advantage that extremely solid bracing with contact on the reference sur~aces is made pocsible. The clamping part is pressed under VQrV high pressure against the re~erence surfaces by means of a filler piece, ~or example, a wedge. When this is done, the connecting element may be inserted parallel to the X-Y axis, with the result that it is possible to produce very high structures in the Z-direction and that these require comparatively little space in the area where they are connected to the base part. The symmetrical arrangement of the re~erence surfaces relative to the undercut area or groove ensures the optimal trans~er Or ~orce between the base part and the clamping part. The ~eatures o~ the present invention provide a verv high level o~ rigidity and accuracy o~ the connection.

2 ~ ~ ~4 ~ t~j BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ~RAWINGS

Preferred embodiments o~ the present invention will be described in greater detail below on the basis of the drawings appended hereto. These drawings show the ~ollowing:

Figure 1: a perspective view of a base part;
Figure 2: a perspective view o~ an arrangement o~ various clamping parts on the base part;
Figures 3 to 8: di~erent embodiments o~ the elevations that are arrang~d in a grid pattern on th~ base part;
Figure 9: a cross-section through a special con~iguration o~ the elevation;
Figure 10: a plan view of the elevation as in ~igure 9;
Figure 11: a porspectlve view o~ a clamping wedge in the assembled state;
Figure 12: an exploded view o~ another clamping wedge;
Figure 13: an embodiment o~ a di~ferently shaped clamping wedgs, in perspective;
Figure 14: a perspective view o~ an embodiment of another clamping wedge;
Figure 15: a view from the ~ront of an elevation at the edge o~ a base part with an attached auxiliary component, both sides being coupled by means of a specially formed connecting element;
Figure 16: a perspective drawing of the connecting element;
Figure 17: a front view of a clamping part that is fixed in position by a connecting element; ~--Figure 18: a perspective view of another arrangement;
Figure 19: a perspective view of the arrangement of a further arrangement shown by way o~ example;
Figure 20: a perspective view o~ a specially shaped base part;
Figure 21: a perspective view of another base paxt shown as an .
example~

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2 ~ X 3 igure 22: a perspective view o~ a structural situation of the two base parts 20 and 21;
Figure 23: a plan view of a base part with a supplementary structural member fixed thereon.

THE B~ST MODE FOR CARRYING O~T ~ YENTIO~

In the various embodiments that are shown, identical or corresponding parts are in each case identified by the same re~erence numbers. I~ necessary, they are distinguished only by the number of apostrophes following the reference numbers.

Figure 1 is a perspective ViQW 0~ a base part that bears the collective reference number 1. This base part 1 incorporates elevations 3 that are arranged in a regular grid pattern. Viewed from above, the elevations 3 have a square surface. The elevations have supporting surfaces 4 on their upper sides. At their sides, the elevations have two reference surfaces 5 and 6 that are provided on all four side~ and separated from each other by a circumferential groove 7. A reference surface 11 extends between the elevations, parallel to the supporting sur~ac~ 4.
The reference surfaces 5 and 6 serve as r~ference surfaces for measurements taken in the X-direction and the Y-direction. The referencQ surface 11 serves as a reference surface for measuremQnts made in the Z-direction. The reference surfaces 5 and 6 that ar~ so arranged a3 to be spaced one abov~ tha oth~r each lie in common planes.

Figure 2 6hows an Qxemplary arrangement of the clamping means or supporting members on the base part.

Flat bars 21, the width tflank spacing] of which corresponds to the spacing between the reference surfaces 6, 5, respectively, o~
ad~acent elevations 3, are arranged parallel to each other on the reference surface 11 of the base part. Flat bars 20, the width >5~5 . ,~ .

2~ ~ 42~

of which corresponds to the spacing between the base of the grooves of two opposing grooves 7 of the elevations 3, lie on tbese lower flat rods 21. The thicknesn of the flat rod 21 corresponds to the height o~ the reference sur~ace 6. The thickne~s of the flat rod 20 corresponds to the depth of the groove 7. Two additional flat rods 21, the surfaces o~ which are ~lush wlth the supporting surface 4 o~ the elevation~ 3 are arranged parallel to each other and transversely to the flat rods 20 and 21. The di~erent ~lat rods 20 and 21 can be pinned together permanently, when they are then fixed immovably in the base part.

Figure~ 3 to 8 show di~erent forms and arrangements both of the grooves and of the reference sur~aces. The outline shape of the elevations 3 can vary, ~or example, it can be round instead o~
square. In the embodiment shown in ~igures 3, 4, and 5, the re~erence ~ur~acen 5 and 6 are configured 80 as to be rectilinear in the Z-direction. In the embod$ment shown ln figure 6, the re~erence surfaces 5' and 6' ars rounded. Pigure~ 7 and 8 ~how the reference sur~aces 5'' and 6'' in an embodiment in which only .:
the central area of the reference surfaces is rectilinear in the Z-direction, whereas there are in each instance ad~acent bevelled ~ -sur~aces above and ~elow.

~igures 9 and 10 show an elevation 3 which is o~ square outline and which each have at the centre of the.reference surfaces 5 and 6 that are arranged around the circum~erence, a square half-groove 22 that continues in the base part 1 in a square continuous groove 23.
.

Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16 show di~ferent shapes o~ -connecting elements that are in the ~orm o~ clamping wedges. The shape of the connecting elements corresponds to the shape of the grooves which, on the one hand, are provided in the elevations 3 of the base part, and to the grooves in the clamping parts 2 that ~6 -: '".'-' 21~1~2~

are meant to be secured to the base part l, said grooves being ~-disposed at the same height. Figure 17 shows the arrangement of a clamping part 2 between two opposing elevations 3. The clamping part 2 is only shown in part. It lies with its lower ~ace surface on the reference surface ll of the base part l and has rectangular grooves 2c which extend at the ~ame height as the opposing grooves 7, in its side faces. In the embodiment shown, clamping wedges 8' are used as the connecting elements between th~ clamping part 2 and the elevations 3; these clampinq wedges clamp in the direction o~ the resultant C (see the force diagram, ~igure 17) when the tightening screws 8a that extend axially are drawn tight~

In the embodiment shown in ~igure 18, the clamping part consi~ts o~ two wedge-shaped, complementary plates 2a and 2b. The plates 2a and 2b are ~ixed in the X plane and the Y plane between the opposing re~erence surfaces o~ opposing elevations 3 by appropriate displacement in the longitudinal direction. They are prevented from ~oving in the Z-direction by the continuous connecting elements that are configured as bars 8, which are inserted into the grooves in the clamping part halves and thQ
elevations 3 that are opposite each oth~r in each instance.

In the embodiment shown in figure 19, four base parts, each having four ~levations 3'', are arranged on a co~mon supporting plate 22 which may be, for example, a machine table. The arrangement o~ the four base parts 1'' is such as to result in a completely uniform grid between all sixteen elevatlons 3''.
Bensath the re~erence sur~ace ll' there are two inters~cting channels 23 on each base part l''. Two intersecting but lower channels 24 are formed between the four base parts 1''. Filings, chips, and ~imilar machine waste, diluted soluble oil, cutting oil, and th~ like can run o~ through the channels 23 and 24. -~

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21 01~25 The clamping part 2'' that can be secured by conventional connecting el~ments, for example, bars, between the elevations

3'' is, in its turn, provided with additional grooves and that extend in the Z-direction, and matching reference surfaces.
Other clamping parts or attachments can be secured to the clamping part 2'' in the same or a similar manner as the clamping part 2'' is itsel~ secured to the base part 1''.

Figure 20 shows a base part 1' that incorporates elevation3 3' that ~ace downwards and an elevation 3''' which ~aces upwards.
All o~ the elevations incorporate the reference sur~aces 5 and 6 referred to hereto~ore as well as the grooves 7 that run between these.

Figure 21 shows an additional base part 1'' t~at incorporates two elevations 3'. There is a groove 7a beneath the reference sur~ace 6.

Figure 22 shows how the two base parts 1' and 1'' are assembled using bars 8 that serve as connecting elements. In this arrangement it is possible that one element 1' be regarded as a base part and the second element 1'' be regarded as the clamping part. In this sense, in this solution too, a base part 1' is connected to a clamping part 1'' through connecting elements 8.

Figure 23 shows a further design variation in which one base part 1 i8 provided with ~levation~ 3. A base part 1' with ~levations 3' is ~ixed in plac~ on this base part. This ~ixing is ef~ected by way o~ connecting elements 8 and 8' as well as by the locking parts 18 and 19.

The modular system according to the present invention is o~
universal application. It can also be used, to great advantage, to produce modular toys and toy building blocks.

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Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A modular system, in particular for the construction of devices for holding, clamping, and/or positioning work pieces, preferably on machines, with a base part that extends in the X-Y plane, and at least one clamping part that can be secured on this in various selectable positions, this base part comprising elevations that are arranged to form a regular pattern in the X-Y plane, these elevations having surfaces that are configured as supporting surfaces, and which in each instance have reference surfaces that extend in the Z-direction, said elevations incorporating undercut sections within the reference surfaces that are used to accommodate connecting elements, these undercut areas being disposed at the same height, the connecting elements extending between the elevations and the clamping part, characterized in that in each instance reference surfaces (5; 6) are provided above each other, separated by the undercut areas, and spaced apart from each other.

2. A modular system as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the reference surfaces (5; 6) are aligned with each other.

3. A modular system as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that in plan view the elevations (3) are configured to be polygonal.

4. A modular system as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that in plan view the elevations (3) are round.

5. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting elements (8) are configured as flat bodies that, on two opposing side surfaces, are of a shape and dimensions that correspond with the shape and dimensions of the undercut areas in the elevations (3).

6. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the undercut areas are configured as grooves (7) that extend around the elevations.

7. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the grooves (7) are of a rectangular cross-section.

8. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the grooves (7) are of a semi-circular cross-section.

9. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the grooves (7") are of a V-shaped cross-section.

10. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the connecting elements are formed as bars (8), the cross-section of which fills, at least essentially, the opposing grooves in the elevations (3) and the clamping part.

11. A modular system as defined in claim 10, characterized in that the width of the bars (8) corresponds to the spacing of the opposing groove bases of adjacent elevations (3) and clamping parts (2).

12. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the elevations (3) incorporate a plurality of grooves that are parallel to each other and are arranged one above the other in the Z-direction.

13. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the reference surfaces (5; 6) are configured so as to be rectilinear in the Z-direction.

14. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the reference surfaces (5'; 6') are configured so a to be rounded in the Z-direction.

15. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the reference surfaces (5'';
6'') are configured with a plurality of edges in the Z-direction.

16. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the connecting elements (8') can be clamped in the grooves.

17. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the connecting elements (8') are configured from a plurality of parts, and the different parts, which have inclined surfaces that are adjacent to each other, can be moved in the longitudinal direction by means of a screw (8a) so as to be clamped in the grooves.

18. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the clamping part (2; 2') incorporates grooves at the level of the grooves (7) in the elevations, and are configured to rest on the reference surfaces (5; 6).

19. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the space between the reference surfaces (5; 6) of adjacent elevations (3) corresponds to the space between the reference surfaces of an elevation (3) or else is an sven-numbered multiple thereof.

20. A modular system as defined in one or more of the claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the base part (1) incorporates a reference surface (11) that extends parallel to the supporting surfaces (4) of the elevations.