WORKPIECE HOLDING DEVICE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE APPLICATION

The present application is a national stage application based upon International Application No. PCT/JP2023/004524, filed on Feb. 10, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a workpiece holding device.

2. Discussion of the Background Art

A floating jig including a jig base, a first swing member including a first swing axis extending in a first direction and supported by the jig base in such a manner as to swing about the first swing axis, a second swing member including a second swing axis extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and supported by the first swing member in such a manner as to swing about the second swing axis, and a workpiece holder fixed to the second swing member and configured to hold a workpiece and configured to support the workpiece in a floating state has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). In the floating jig, each of a plurality of first actuators that is arranged in such a manner as to surround the periphery of the first swing axis and fixed to the jig base, by pressing the first swing axis in a direction toward the central axis of the first swing axis, restricts a swing of the first swing axis. In addition, each of a plurality of second actuators that is arranged in such a manner as to surround the periphery of the second swing axis and fixed to the first swing member, by pressing the second swing axis in a direction toward the central axis of the second swing axis, restricts a swing of the second swing axis.

In the case where when an operation to fix an attitude of the first swing member is performed by the plurality of first actuators, pressing forces of the plurality of first actuators against the first swing axis are unequally exerted, there is a risk that the attitude of the first swing member is shifted. In addition, in the case where when an operation to fix an attitude of the second swing member is performed by the plurality of second actuators, pressing forces of the plurality of second actuators against the second swing axis are unequally exerted, there is a risk that the attitude of the second swing member is shifted. Thus, in a configuration described in Patent Literature 1, load sensors are disposed to the first swing axis and the second swing axis, and based on detection results from the load sensors, control to decrease inequality in pressing forces among the plurality of first actuators and the plurality of second actuators is performed.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-131345

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

However, in the configuration described in Patent Literature 1, it is required to provide a load sensor to detect a pressing force of each of the plurality of the first actuators and the plurality of the second actuators and a control device to perform control to, based on detection results from the load sensors, decrease inequality in pressing forces among the plurality of first actuators and the plurality of second actuators. Therefore, not only does a device configuration becomes complex but also there is a risk that weight increases due to increase in the number of components.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described conditions, and an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a workpiece holding device capable of achieving simplification of a configuration and weight reduction.

Solution to Problem

In order to achieve the above-described objective, a workpiece holding device according to the present disclosure includes:

• • a base member;
  • a first swing member including a first main body portion supported by the base member in a freely movable manner in at least one of a direction of swing about a first swing axis that extends in a first direction and a direction of the first swing axis and a first holder formed in a disk shape, fixed to the first main body portion in an attitude in which a central axis of the first holder coincides with the first swing axis, and configured to hold an annular first elastic member on an entire outer circumferential surface of the first holder;
  • a second swing member including a second main body portion supported by the first swing member in a freely movable manner in at least one of a direction of swing about a second swing axis that extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a direction of the second swing axis and a second holder formed in a disk shape, fixed to the second main body portion in an attitude in which a central axis of the second holder coincides with the second swing axis, and configured to hold an annular second elastic member on an entire outer circumferential surface of the second holder;
  • a workpiece holder fixed to the second main body portion and configured to hold a workpiece;
  • a first cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical shape, having at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to a cylinder axial direction formed in a circle, and fixed to the base member while an inner side surface of the first cylindrical member faces an outer circumferential surface of the first holder via the first elastic member;
  • a first swing restrictor to, by causing the first elastic member to expand and pressing an entire outer side of the first elastic member against an inner side surface of the first cylindrical member, restrict the first swing member from moving with respect to the base member;
  • a second cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical shape, having at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to a cylinder axial direction formed in a circle, and fixed to the first swing member while an inner side surface of the second cylindrical member faces an outer circumferential surface of the second holder via the second elastic member; and
  • a second swing restrictor to, by causing the second elastic member to expand and pressing an entire outer side of the second elastic member against an inner side surface of the second cylindrical member, restrict the second swing member from moving with respect to the first swing member.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

According to the present disclosure, the first swing restrictor, by causing the first elastic member to expand and pressing the entire outer side of the first elastic member against the inner side surface of the first cylindrical member, restricts the first swing member from moving with respect to the base member. In addition, the second swing restrictor, by causing the second elastic member to expand and pressing the entire outer side of the second elastic member against the inner side surface of the second cylindrical member, restricts the second swing member from moving with respect to the first swing member. Because of this configuration, the first holder of the first swing member is fixed to the first cylindrical member with uniform pressure across the entire circumferential direction of the first holder, and the second holder of the second swing member is also fixed to the second cylindrical member with uniform pressure across the entire circumferential direction of the second holder. Therefore, it is possible to, while preventing a shift in attitudes of the first swing member and the second swing member, achieve simplification of a configuration and weight reduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a honing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view of a workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional arrow view of the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1 taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional arrow view of the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1 taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1 has released holding of a workpiece;

FIG. 4B is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the workpiece is separated from the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1 does not hold a workpiece;

FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1 holds a workpiece;

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first swing restrictor and a second swing restrictor according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1 is swingable;

FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which vibration of the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1 is controlled;

FIG. 8 is a partially broken perspective view of a workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional arrow view of the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 2 taken along the line C-C in FIG. 8;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional arrow view of the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 2 taken along the line D-D in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first swing restrictor and a second swing restrictor according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 11A is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 2 is swingable;

FIG. 11B is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which vibration of the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 2 is controlled; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a swing restrictor according to a variation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiment 1

A workpiece holding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the drawings. The workpiece holding device according to the present embodiment is a jig that holds a workpiece at the time of honing. The workpiece holding device includes a base member, a first swing member, a second swing member, a workpiece holder, a first cylindrical member, a first swing restrictor, a second cylindrical member, and a second swing restrictor. The first swing member includes a first main body portion supported by the base member in a freely movable manner in at least one of a direction of swing about a first swing axis that extends in a first direction and a direction of the first swing axis and a first holder formed in a disk shape, fixed to the first main body portion in an attitude in which a central axis of the first holder coincides with the first swing axis, and configured to hold an annular first elastic member on an entire outer circumferential surface of the first holder. The second swing member includes a second main body portion supported by the first swing member in a freely movable manner in at least one of a direction of swing about a second swing axis that extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and a direction of the second swing axis and a second holder formed in a disk shape, fixed to the second main body portion in an attitude in which a central axis of the second holder coincides with the second swing axis, and configured to hold an annular second elastic member on an entire outer circumferential surface of the second holder. The workpiece holder is fixed to the second main body portion of the second swing member and holds a workpiece. The first cylindrical member is formed in a cylindrical shape, has at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to a cylinder axial direction formed in a circle, and is fixed to the base member while an inner side surface of the first cylindrical member faces an outer circumferential surface of a first holder via the first elastic member. The first swing restrictor, by causing the first elastic member to expand and thereby pressing the entire outer side of the first elastic member against the inner side surface of the first cylindrical member, restricts the first swing member from moving with respect to the base member. The second cylindrical member is formed in a cylindrical shape, has at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to a cylinder axial direction formed in a circle, and is fixed to the first swing member while an inner side surface of the second cylindrical member faces an outer circumferential surface of a second holder via the second elastic member. The second swing restrictor, by causing the second elastic member to expand and thereby pressing the entire outer side of the second elastic member against the inner side surface of the second cylindrical member, restricts the second swing member from moving with respect to the first swing member.

A honing device according to the present embodiment includes, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a honing tool 90 and a workpiece holding device 1 arranged vertically below the honing tool 90. The honing device also includes a drive mechanism (not illustrated) to, while causing the honing tool 90 to rotate about a central axis J2 along the longitudinal direction of the honing tool 90, cause the honing tool 90 to ascend or descend. Note that in FIG. 1, a workpiece W is arranged in an attitude in which a central axis JO of a processed hole Wh of the workpiece W and a central axis JI of the honing tool 90 coincide with each other.

The honing tool 90 includes a tool main body 91 formed in a long cylindrical shape and a plurality of grindstones 92 disposed at an end on the −Z-direction side of the tool main body 91 in an expandable and contractible manner in radial directions of the tool main body 91. In addition, the honing tool 90 includes a wedge rod (not illustrated) to, by relatively moving in the vertical direction with respect to the tool main body 91, cause the grindstones 92 to move in an expanding manner, the wedge rod including a wedge portion (not illustrated) disposed at an end on the −Z-direction side of the wedge rod and being arranged on the inside of the tool main body 91 while the wedge portion is in contact with inclined surfaces on the opposite sides to the grindstone 92 sides of grindstone bases (not illustrated) to which the grindstones 92 are fixed, and a biasing member (not illustrated) to bias the grindstones 92 in directions in which the grindstones 92 contract. In association with movement of the wedge rod in the −Z-direction, the grindstone bases and the grindstones 92 fixed to the grindstone bases are pressed by the wedge portion and move in directions in which the grindstones 92 expand. In contrast, when the wedge rod moves in the +Z-direction, the grindstone bases and the grindstones 92 move in directions in which the grindstones 92 contract by a biasing force of the biasing member. Note that as the biasing member, a ring spring, a ring-shaped rubber, or the like can be employed.

The honing device inserts the honing tool 90 into the processed hole Wh of the workpiece W held by the workpiece holding device 1 and subsequently, by causing the grindstones 92 to move in an expanding manner, cause the grindstones 92 to come into contact with an inner wall of the processed hole Wh. The honing device, by causing the honing tool 90 to rotate about the central axis J2 along the longitudinal direction of the honing tool 90 while causing the grindstones 92 to be in contact with the inner wall of the processed hole Wh, grinds the inner wall of the processed hole Wh of the workpiece W.

The workpiece holding device 1 includes a base member 11, a first swing member 12, a second swing member 13, a workpiece holder 14, first cylindrical members 15, second cylindrical members 16, first elastic members 17, second elastic members 18, and a spacer 19. The workpiece holding device 1 also includes a first swing restrictor 21 to restrict a swing and a movement in a horizontal direction of the first swing member 12 with respect to the base member 11 and a second swing restrictor 22 to restrict a swing and a movement in a horizontal direction of the second swing member 13 with respect to the first swing member 12. The base member 11 includes a frame-shaped main body portion 111, supporting columns 112 extending in the −Z-direction from a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the main body portion 111 and configured to support the main body portion 111, and a base 113 having a shape that is flat and substantially rectangular in plan view and to which ends on the −Z-direction side of the plurality of supporting columns 112 are fixed.

The first swing member 12 is supported by the base member 11 in a freely movable manner in a direction of swing about a first swing axis Jx that extends in the X-axis direction and a direction of the first swing axis Jx. The first swing member 12 includes a frame-shaped main body portion 121 the external shape of which in plan view is a hexagonal shape, shafts 122 each having a long length and one end of each of which in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the main body portion 121, and first holders 123 each formed in a disk shape, fixed to the other end of one of the shafts 122, and configured to hold one of the first elastic members 17. Each of the first elastic members 17 has an annular shape and is formed of an elastic material, such as rubber and elastomer. The main body portion 121 is supported by the base member 11 via the shafts 122 in a freely movable manner in the direction of swing about the first swing axis Jx that extends in the X-axis direction and the direction of the first swing axis Jx. Each of the shafts 122 is fixed to the main body portion 111 of the base member 11 via a bearing 125. Each of the first holders 123 is fixed to the main body portion 121 in an attitude in which a central axis along the thickness direction of the first holder 123 coincides with the first swing axis Jx and holds one of the first elastic members 17 on the entire outer circumferential surface of the first holder 123. In this configuration, each of the first holders 123 is formed continuously and integrally with one of the shafts 122 and is fixed to the main body portion 121 via the shaft 122.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, inside each of the shafts 122, a flow path 122a that extends along the longitudinal direction of the shaft 122, that is, the X-axis direction, inside the shaft 122 is formed. At a portion of each of the shafts 122 at which the shaft 122 is fixed to the main body portion 121, a connector 124 in which a flow path 124a for feeding air into the flow path 122a, the flow path 124a communicating with the inside of the flow path 122a from the +Z-direction side of the main body portion 121, is formed is arranged. Further, on each of the first holders 123, a first groove 123a into which one of the first elastic members 17 is fitted is formed across the entire circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface. In each of the first holders 123, a flow path 123b that communicates with a first space that is formed between one of the first elastic members 17 and the inner side of the first groove 123a of the first holder 123 while the first elastic member 17 is fitted into the first groove 123a is formed.

The second swing member 13 is supported by the first swing member 12 in a freely movable manner in a direction of swing about a second swing axis Jy that extends in the Y-axis direction and a direction of the second swing axis Jy, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The second swing member 13 includes a main body portion 131, shafts 132 each having a long length and one end of each of which in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the main body portion 131, and second holders 133 each formed in a disk shape, fixed to the other end of one of the shafts 132, and configured to hold one of the second elastic members 18. In addition, to the second swing member 13, guide rollers 32 for guiding turning operations of spacer locking plates 144, which are described later, are fixed. Each of the second elastic members 18, as with the first elastic member 17, has an annular shape and is formed of an elastic material, such as rubber and elastomer. The main body portion 131 includes a plate-shaped main piece 1311 and two holding pieces 1312 extending in the same direction along the thickness direction of the main piece 1311 from both ends in the Y-axis direction of the main piece 1311 and configured to hold the main piece 1311 from the +Z-direction side. In the main piece 1311, a through-hole 131a that penetrates the main piece 1311 in the thickness direction of the main piece 1311 and on the inside of which the workpiece holder 14 is arranged is bored. In addition, on an inner wall of the through-hole 131a, a step 131b to which a portion of the workpiece holder 14 is locked from the −Z-direction side is formed. Each of the shafts 132 is fixed to the main body portion 121 of the first swing member 12 via a bearing 135, and the aforementioned one end in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 132 is fixed to one of the holding pieces 1312 of the main body portion 131. In this way, the main body portion 131 is supported by the first swing member 12 via the shafts 132 in a freely movable manner in the direction of swing about the second swing axis Jy that extends in the Y-axis direction and the direction of the second swing axis Jy. Each of the second holders 133 is fixed to the main body portion 131 in an attitude in which a central axis along the thickness direction of the second holder 133 coincides with the second swing axis Jy and holds one of the second elastic members 18 on the entire outer circumferential surface of the second holder 133. In this configuration, each of the second holders 133 is formed continuously and integrally with one of the shafts 132 and is fixed to the main body portion 131 via the shaft 132.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, inside each of the shafts 132, a flow path 132a that extends along the longitudinal direction of the shaft 132, that is, the Y-axis direction, inside the shaft 132 is formed. At a portion of each of the shafts 132 at which the shaft 132 is fixed to the main body portion 131, a connector 134 in which a flow path 134a for feeding air into the flow path 132a, the flow path 134a communicating with the inside of the flow path 132a from the +Z-direction side of the main body portion 131, is formed is arranged. Further, on each of the second holders 133, a second groove 133a into which one of the second elastic members 18 is fitted is formed across the entire circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface. In each of the second holders 133, a flow path 133b that communicates with a second space that is formed between one of the second elastic members 18 and the inner side of the second groove 133a of the second holder 133 while the second elastic member 18 is fitted into the second groove 133a is formed.

The workpiece holder 14 includes, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, a cylindrical holder main body 141, a workpiece support 142 formed in a cylindrical shape, arranged on the +Z-direction side of the holder main body 141, and configured to support the workpiece W from the −Z-direction side, a biasing member 143, and the two spacer locking plates 144. The holder main body 141 includes a main portion 1411 formed in a cylindrical shape and on the inner side of which a step 141a to which the biasing member 143 fitted into the main portion 1411 from the +Z-direction side is locked is formed, an outer flange 1412 projecting to the outside from an end on the +Z-direction side of the main portion 1411, and a locking plate support 1413 to support the spacer locking plates 144 in a freely turnable manner. The locking plate support 1413 includes a support main body 1413a formed in a cylindrical shape and being freely slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the main portion 1411 while being fitted onto the main portion 1411, two projections 1413b projecting in a direction of separating from each other from two locations opposed to each other in the X-axis direction on the support main body 1413a, shafts 1413c each disposed on a tip portion of one of the two projections 1413b and configured to pivotably support an end on the −Z-direction side of one of the spacer locking plates 144. Between the outer flange 1412 and the locking plate support 1413, a coil spring 145 is arranged, and when the locking plate support 1413 moves to the +Z-direction side with respect to the main portion 1411, the locking plate support 1413 is biased to the −Z-direction side due to a restoring force of the coil spring 145. In addition, to the holder main body 141, guide pins 31 for guiding turning operations of the spacer locking plates 144 are fixed.

On a portion of an inner wall of the workpiece support 142 extending from a substantially central portion in the Z-axis direction to an end on the +Z-direction side, a tapered portion 142b that expands in diameter toward the +Z-direction side is formed.

In addition, on an edge surface on the −Z-direction side of the workpiece support 142, a step 142a to which an end on the +Z-direction side of the biasing member 143 is locked is formed. Further, at an end on the −Z-direction side of the workpiece support 142, an outer flange 142c projecting to the outside is formed. The biasing member 143 is a coil spring and is arranged inside the main portion 1411 of the holder main body 141 while an end on the −Z-direction side of the biasing member 143 is locked to the step 141a of the holder main body 141 and the end on the +Z-direction side of the biasing member 143 is locked to the step 142a of the workpiece support 142. Each of the two spacer locking plates 144 is formed in a long plate shape, and in one end in the longitudinal direction of the spacer locking plate 144, a through-hole 144d that penetrates the spacer locking plate 144 in the thickness direction of the spacer locking plate 144 and into which one of the shafts 1413c of the locking plate support 1413 of the holder main body 141 is inserted is provided in a penetrating manner. In addition, on the other end of each of the spacer locking plates 144, a hook 144a that locks the spacer 19 from the +Z-direction side while the spacer 19 is placed on the main body portion 131 of the second swing member 13 is formed. In addition, each of the spacer locking plates 144 includes a protrusion 144c protruding to the opposite side to the holder main body 141 and a tapered portion 144b inclined in such a manner as to separate from the holder main body 141 from the one end in which the through-hole 144d is provided in a penetrating manner toward the other end. When the spacer locking plates 144 lock the spacer 19 as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the aforementioned guide pins 31 are brought into a state of coming into contact with peak portions of the protrusions 144c, which causes the spacer locking plates 144 to be brought into a state in which the spacer locking plates 144 are restricted from turning. When, from a state illustrated in FIG. 3A, the locking plate support 1413 is slid to the +Z-direction side with respect to the holder main body 141 as illustrated by an arrow AR31 in FIG. 4A, the coil spring 145 is compressed, positions on the tapered portions 144b of the spacer locking plates 144 that come into contact with the aforementioned guide rollers 32 move to the side of the tapered portions 144b on which the one ends in which the through-holes 144d are provided in a penetrating manner are located, and in association with the movement, the spacer locking plates 144 turn in directions in which the other ends of the spacer locking plates 144 are disengaged from the spacer 19 as illustrated by arrows AR32. Because of this configuration, the workpiece W and the spacer 19 can be taken out to the +Z-direction side as illustrated by an arrow AR33 in FIG. 4B.

When the workpiece support 142 is in a state of not holding the workpiece Was illustrated in FIG. 5A, the workpiece support 142 is brought into a state in which the outer flange 142c comes into contact with the step 131b on the inner side of the through-hole 131a in the main piece 1311 of the second swing member 13 from the −Z-direction side and the workpiece support 142 is pressed against the main piece 1311 by the biasing member 143. When the workpiece W is inserted from the +Z-direction side as illustrated by an arrow AR11 in FIG. 5B, an end on the −Z-direction side of the workpiece W comes into contact with the tapered portion 142b of the workpiece support 142 and the workpiece support 142 moves to the −Z-direction side. On this occasion, the workpiece support 142 is pressed against the end on the −Z-direction side of the workpiece W by a biasing force of the biasing member 143 and the end on the −Z-direction side of the workpiece W moves in an XY-direction along the tapered portion 142b, as a result of which the central axis J0 of the workpiece W is aligned in such a way as to coincide with the central axis J2 of the workpiece support 142.

The spacer 19 is formed in a disk shape, and at a central portion of the spacer 19, an opening 19a that penetrates the spacer 19 in the thickness direction of the spacer 19 and into the inside of which the workpiece W is inserted is provided in a penetrating manner. The spacer 19 is placed on the main piece 1311 of the main body portion 131 of the second swing member 13 and is fixed to the second swing member 13 by an upper surface of a peripheral portion of the spacer 19 being locked to the hooks 144a of the spacer locking plates 144 of the workpiece holder 14 while the workpiece W inserted into the inside of the opening 19a is held by the workpiece holder 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3A, each of the two first cylindrical members 15 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, includes a cylindrical portion 151 and a bottom wall 152 closing one end in a cylinder axial direction of the cylindrical portion 151, and has at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the cylinder axial direction formed in a circle. Each of the first cylindrical members 15 is fixed to the base member 11 while an inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 151 of the first cylindrical member 15 faces an outer circumferential surface of one of the first holders 123 of the first swing member 12 via one of the first elastic members 17. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3B, each of the two second cylindrical members 16 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, includes a cylindrical portion 161 and a bottom wall 162 closing one end in a cylinder axial direction of the cylindrical portion 161, and has at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the cylinder axial direction formed in a circle. Each of the second cylindrical members 16 is fixed to the first swing member 12 while an inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 161 of the second cylindrical member 16 faces an outer circumferential surface of one of the second holders 133 of the second swing member 13 via one of the second elastic members 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first swing restrictor 21 includes an air source 211 to output compressed air, tubes 212 connected to the connectors 124 of the first swing member 12, connectors 215 disposed at tip portions of the tubes 212, a pressure control valve 213 interposed between the air source 211 and the tubes 212 and configured to adjust air pressure in the tubes 212, and a pressure controller 214. By the pressure controller 214 controlling the pressure control valve 213 and adjusting pressure of air supplied from the air source 211 to the connectors 124 while the connectors 215 are connected to the connectors 124 of the first swing member 12, the first swing restrictor 21 restricts the first swing member 12 from moving with respect to the base member 11.

The second swing restrictor 22 includes the air source 211, tubes 222 connected to the connectors 134 of the second swing member 13, connectors 225 disposed at tip portions of the tubes 222, a pressure control valve 223 interposed between the air source 211 and the tubes 222 and configured to adjust air pressure in the tubes 222, and the pressure controller 214. By the pressure controller 214 controlling the pressure control valve 223 and adjusting pressure of air supplied from the air source 211 to the connectors 134 while the connectors 225 are connected to the connectors 134 of the second swing member 13, the second swing restrictor 22 restricts the second swing member 13 from moving with respect to the first swing member 12.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, when each of the second elastic members 18 is not in contact with an inner side surface 161a of the cylindrical portion 161 of one of the second cylindrical members 16, the second swing member 13 is freely swingable and freely movable in the horizontal direction with respect to the first swing member 12. When the second swing restrictor 22 restricts the second swing member 13 from moving with respect to the first swing member 12, the second swing restrictor 22 supplies air to second spaces S2 each formed between one of the second elastic members 18 and the inner side of one of the second grooves 133a from the connectors 134 through the flow paths 134a, 132a, and 133b. Because of this configuration, as illustrated by arrows AR12 in FIG. 7B, each of the second elastic members 18 expands and the entire outer side of the second elastic member 18 is pressed against the inner side surface 161a of the cylindrical portion 161 of one of the second cylindrical members 16, as a result of which the second swing member 13 is restricted from moving with respect to the first swing member 12. In addition, when each of the first elastic members 17 is not in contact with an inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 151 of one of the first cylindrical members 15, the first swing member 12 is freely swingable and freely movable in the horizontal direction with respect to the base member 11. When the first swing restrictor 21 restricts the first swing member 12 from moving with respect to the base member 11, the first swing restrictor 21 supplies air to the first spaces each formed between one of the first elastic members 17 and the inner side of one of the first grooves 123a from the connectors 124 through the flow paths 124a, 122a, and 123b illustrated in FIG. 3A. Because of this configuration, each of the first elastic members 17 expands and the entire outer side of the first elastic member 17 is pressed against the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 151 of one of the first cylindrical members 15, as a result of which the first swing member 12 is restricted from moving with respect to the base member 11.

In addition, the pressure controller 214, by controlling the pressure control valves 213 and 223, is capable of changing pressure of air supplied to the connectors 124 and 134 in an incremental or continuous manner, respectively. Because of this capability, braking forces to impede the movements of the first swing member 12 and the second swing member 13 with respect to the base member 11 and the first swing member 12, respectively, can be adjusted in an incremental or continuous manner.

As described in the foregoing, in the workpiece holding device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first swing restrictor 21, by causing each of the first elastic members 17 to expand and thereby pressing the entire outer side of the first elastic member 17 against the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 151 of one of the first cylindrical members 15, restricts the first swing member 12 from moving with respect to the base member 11. In addition, the second swing restrictor 22, by causing each of the second elastic members 18 to expand and thereby pressing the entire outer side of the second elastic member 18 against the inner side surface 161a of the cylindrical portion 161 of one of the second cylindrical members 16, restricts the second swing member 13 from moving with respect to the first swing member 12. Because of this configuration, each of the first holders 123 of the first swing member 12 is fixed to one of the first cylindrical members 15 with uniform pressure across the entire circumferential direction of the first holder 123, and each of the second holders 133 of the second swing member 13 is also fixed to one of the second cylindrical members 16 with uniform pressure across the entire circumferential direction of the second holder 133. Therefore, it is possible to, while preventing attitudes of the first swing member 12 and the second swing member 13 from being shifted, achieve simplification of a configuration and weight reduction.

In addition, in the workpiece holding device 1 according to the present embodiment, by individually controlling the pressure control valves 213 and 223, it is possible to adjust pressures applied to respective ones of the connectors 124 and 134 to different pressures. Because of this capability, it becomes possible to, by, for example, comparing vibration amplitudes and movement amplitudes in the horizontal directions of the first swing member 12 and the second swing member 13 with each other, adjust pressure applied to one of the connectors 124 and 134 that is disposed to the first swing member 12 or the second swing member 13 having larger vibration amplitude and movement amplitude to be larger than pressure applied to the other.

Improving production efficiency by so-called continuous processing in which a plurality of workpiece holding devices 1 are mounted on a conveyor and processing is performed while the plurality of workpiece holding devices 1 are successively arranged vertically below a honing tool 90 is demanded. In this case, in the honing machine described in Patent Literature 1, when a controller is disposed on the main body side of the processing machine, the controller is required to be configured to control a plurality of first actuators and a plurality of second actuators, using, for example, a wireless communication function, which causes the configuration of the honing machine to become complex. In contrast, in the workpiece holding device 1 according to the present embodiment, only by connecting the connectors 124 and 134 to the connectors 215 and 225 and separating the connectors 124 and 134 from the connectors 215 and 225, the connectors 215 and 225 being disposed at the tip portions of the tubes 212 and 222 of the first swing restrictor 21 and the second swing restrictor 22, respectively, the workpiece holding device 1 arranged vertically below the honing tool 90 can be replaced. Therefore, since when the workpiece holding device 1 is configured to be automatically replaced, it is only required to provide a mechanism to automatically attach and detach the connectors 215 and 225 to and from the connectors 124 and 134, respectively, the configuration of the honing device including the honing tool 90 or the conveyor can be simplified.

In addition, in the workpiece holding device 1 according to the present embodiment, at each of both ends in the X-axis direction of the first swing member 12 and each of both ends in the Y-axis direction of the second swing member 13, brake mechanisms of the first swing member 12 and the second swing member 13 are achieved using one first elastic member 17 and one second elastic member 18, respectively.

Since for this reason, the brake mechanisms can be made compact and light-weight, it becomes possible to in particular perform honing while rotating the honing tool 90 at high speed.

In addition, the first swing restrictor 21 according to the present embodiment, by feeding air into the first space formed between each of the first elastic members 17 and the inner side of the first groove 123a of one of the first holders 123 of the first swing member 12 through the flow path 123b formed in the first holder 123, causes the first elastic member 17 to expand in directions orthogonal to the first swing axis Jx and separating from the first swing axis Jx with respect to the entire first elastic member 17 with air pressure. In addition, the second swing restrictor 22, by feeding air into the second space S2 formed between each of the second elastic members 18 and the inner side of the second groove 133a of one of the second holders 133 of the second swing member 13 through the flow path 133b formed in the second holder 133, causes the second elastic member 18 to expand in directions orthogonal to the second swing axis Jy and separating from the second swing axis Jy with respect to the entire second elastic member 18 with air pressure. Since because of this configuration, air pressure can be uniformly applied to the first elastic members 17 and the second elastic members 18, the first elastic members 17 and the second elastic members 18 can be uniformly expanded without deviation in the circumferential directions of the first elastic members 17 and the second elastic members 18.

Further, the workpiece holder 14 according to the present embodiment includes the holder main body 141 inside which the workpiece W is arranged, the workpiece support 142 to support the workpiece W while coming into contact with the workpiece W from the insertion direction side of the workpiece W into the holder main body 141, that is, the −Z-direction side, and the biasing member 143 fixed to the holder main body 141 and configured to bias the workpiece support 142 in the +Z-direction. Because of this configuration, the workpiece support 142 is pressed against the end on the −Z-direction side of the workpiece W by a biasing force of the biasing member 143 and the end on the −Z-direction side of the workpiece W moves in an XY-direction along the tapered portion 142b, as a result of which the central axis J0 of the workpiece W is aligned in such a way as to coincide with the central axis J2 of the workpiece support 142. Therefore, positional variation of the processed hole Wh of the workpiece W when the workpiece W is set in the workpiece holder 14 can be reduced. In particular, since positional variation of the processed hole Wh of the workpiece W exceeding limits of movement of the first swing member 12 and the second swing member 13 can be suppressed and movable distances of the first swing member 12 and the second swing member 13 can be secured, it is possible to improve processing accuracy.

Embodiment 2

A workpiece holding device according to the present embodiment differs from the workpiece holding device according to Embodiment 1 in including first holding members each formed in a cylindrical shape, having at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to a cylinder axial direction formed in a circle, and holding an annular first elastic member on the inner side of the first holding member and second holding members each formed in a cylindrical shape, having at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to a cylinder axial direction formed in a circle, and holding an annular second elastic member on the inner side of the second holding member.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a workpiece holding device 2 according to the present embodiment includes a base member 11, a first swing member 2012, a second swing member 2013, a workpiece holder 14, first holding members 2015, second holding members 2016, first elastic members 17 and 18, and a spacer 19. Note that, in FIG. 8, the same constituent elements as those in Embodiment 1 are provided with the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2. The workpiece holding device 2 also includes a first swing restrictor 2021 to restrict a swing and a movement in a horizontal direction of the first swing member 2012 with respect to the base member 11 and a second swing restrictor 2022 to restrict a swing and a movement in a horizontal direction of the second swing member 2013 with respect to the first swing member 2012.

The first swing member 2012 is supported by the base member 11 in a freely movable manner in a direction of swing about a first swing axis Jx that extends in the X-axis direction and a direction of the first swing axis Jx. The first swing member 2012 includes a frame-shaped main body portion 121, shafts 2122 each having a long length and one end of each of which in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the main body portion 121, and first disk-shaped portions 2123 each formed in a disk shape and fixed to the other end of one of the shafts 2122. Each of the shafts 2122 is fixed to a main body portion 111 of the base member 11 via a bearing 125. Each of the first disk-shaped portions 2123 is fixed to the main body portion 121 in an attitude in which a central axis of the first disk-shaped portion 2123 coincides with the first swing axis Jx.

In this configuration, each of the first disk-shaped portions 2123 is formed continuously and integrally with one of the shafts 2122 and is fixed to the main body portion 121 via the shaft 2122, as illustrated in FIG. 9A.

The second swing member 2013 is supported by the first swing member 2012 in a freely movable manner in a direction of swing about a second swing axis Jy that extends in the Y-axis direction and a direction of the second swing axis Jy, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The second swing member 2013 includes a main body portion 131, shafts 2132 each having a long length and one end of each of which in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the main body portion 131, and second disk-shaped portions 2133 each formed in a disk shape and fixed to the other end of one of the shafts 2132. Each of the shafts 2132 is fixed to the main body portion 121 of the first swing member 2012 via a bearing 135, and the aforementioned one end in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 2132 is fixed to one of holding pieces 1312 of the main body portion 131, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. In this way, the main body portion 131 is supported by the first swing member 2012 via the shafts 2132 in a freely movable manner in the direction of swing about the second swing axis Jy that extends in the Y-axis direction and the direction of the second swing axis Jy. Each of the second disk-shaped portions 2133 is fixed to the main body portion 131 in an attitude in which a central axis along the thickness direction of the second disk-shaped portion 2133 coincides with the second swing axis Jy. In this configuration, each of the second disk-shaped portions 2133 is formed continuously and integrally with one of the shafts 2132 and is fixed to the main body portion 131 via the shaft 2132.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the two first holding members 2015 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, includes a cylindrical portion 2151, a bottom wall 152, and a connector 2153, and has at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the cylinder axial direction formed in a circle. Each of the first holding members 2015 holds one of the first elastic members 17 on the inner side of the cylindrical portion 2151 and is also fixed to the base member 11 while the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 2151 faces an outer circumferential surface of one of the first disk-shaped portions 2123 of the first swing member 2012 via the first elastic member 17. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, on each of the cylindrical portions 2151, a first groove 2151a into which one of the first elastic members 17 is fitted is formed across the entire circumferential direction of an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 2151. Further, at a top portion on the +Z-direction side of each of the cylindrical portions 2151, a flow path 2151b that penetrates the cylindrical portion 2151 in the thickness direction of the cylindrical portion 2151 and communicates with a first space that is formed between one of the first elastic members 17 and the inner side of the first groove 2151a of the cylindrical portion 2151 while the first elastic member 17 is fitted into the first groove 2151a is formed. Each of the connectors 2153 is arranged on the outer side of a portion of one of the cylindrical portions 2151 in which the flow path 2151b is formed.

Returning to FIG. 8, each of the two second holding members 2016 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, includes a cylindrical portion 2161, a bottom wall 162, and a connector 2163, and has at least an internal cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the cylinder axial direction formed in a circle. Each of the second holding members 2016 holds one of the second elastic members 18 on the inner side of the cylindrical portion 2161 and is also fixed to the first swing member 2012 while the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 2161 faces an outer circumferential surface of one of the second disk-shaped portions 2133 of the second swing member 2013 via the second elastic member 18. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, on each of the cylindrical portions 2161, a second groove 2161a into which one of the second elastic members 18 is fitted is formed across the entire circumferential direction of an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 2161. Further, at a top portion on the +Z-direction side of each of the cylindrical portions 2161, a flow path 2161b that penetrates the cylindrical portion 2161 in the thickness direction of the cylindrical portion 2161 and communicates with a second space that is formed between one of the second elastic members 18 and the inner side of the second groove 2161a of the cylindrical portion 2161 while the second elastic member 18 is fitted into the second groove 2161a is formed. Each of the connectors 2163 is arranged on the outer side of a portion of one of the cylindrical portions 2161 in which the flow path 2161b is formed.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the first swing restrictor 2021 includes an air source 211, tubes 212 connected to the connectors 2153 of the first holding members 2015, connectors 215, a pressure control valve 213, and a pressure controller 214. Note that, in FIG. 10, the same constituent elements as those in Embodiment 1 are provided with the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6. By the pressure controller 214 controlling the pressure control valve 213 and adjusting pressure of air supplied from the air source 211 to the connectors 2153 while the connectors 215 are connected to the connectors 2153 of the first holding members 2015, the first swing restrictor 2021 restricts the first swing member 2012 from moving with respect to the base member 11. In addition, the second swing restrictor 2022 includes the air source 211, tubes 222 connected to the connectors 2163 of the second holding members 2016, connectors 225, a pressure control valve 223, and the pressure controller 214. By the pressure controller 214 controlling the pressure control valve 223 and adjusting pressure of air supplied from the air source 211 to the connectors 2163 while the connectors 225 are connected to the connectors 2163 of the second holding members 2016, the second swing restrictor 2022 restricts the second swing member 2013 from moving with respect to the first swing member 2012.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, when each of the second elastic members 18 is not in contact with an outer circumferential surface 2133a of one of the second disk-shaped portions 2133 of the second swing member 2013, the second swing member 13 is freely swingable and freely movable in the horizontal direction with respect to the first swing member 12. When the second swing restrictor 2022 restricts the second swing member 2013 from swinging and moving in the horizontal direction with respect to the first swing member 2012, the second swing restrictor 22 supplies air to each of second spaces S2002 formed between one of the second elastic members 18 and the inner side of the second groove 2161a of one of the second holding members 2016 from the connector 2163 through the flow path 2161b of the second holding member 2016. Because of this configuration, as illustrated by arrows AR2 in FIG. 11B, each of the second elastic members 18 contracts and the entire inner side of the second elastic member 18 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface 2133a of one of the second disk-shaped portions 2133 of the second swing member 2013, as a result of which the second swing member 2013 is restricted from swinging and moving in the horizontal direction with respect to the first swing member 2012. In addition, when each of the first elastic members 17 is not in contact with an outer circumferential surface of one of the second disk-shaped portions 2133 of the second swing member 2013, the first swing member 2012 is freely swingable and freely movable in the horizontal direction with respect to the base member 11. When the first swing restrictor 2021 restricts the first swing member 2012 from swinging and moving in the horizontal direction with respect to the base member 11, the first swing restrictor 2021 supplies air to each of the first spaces formed between one of the first elastic members 17 and the inner side of the first groove 2151a of one of the first holding members 2015 from the connector 2153 through the flow path 2151b of the first holding member 2015 illustrated in FIG. 9A. Because of this configuration, each of the first elastic members 17 contracts and the entire inner side of the first elastic member 17 is pressed against an outer circumferential surface of one of the first disk-shaped portions 2123 of the first swing member 2012, as a result of which the first swing member 2012 is restricted from swinging and moving in the horizontal direction with respect to the base member 11.

As described in the foregoing, in the workpiece holding device 2 according to the present embodiment, no flow path is formed on the insides of the shafts 2122 and the first disk-shaped portions 2123 of the first swing member 2012 and the shafts 2132 and the second disk-shaped portions 2133 of the second swing member 2013. Because of this configuration, there is an advantage that since processing to form flow paths becomes unnecessary when the first swing member 2012 and the second swing member 2013 are produced, production of the workpiece holding device 2 is facilitated accordingly.

The embodiments of the present disclosure were described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the aforementioned embodiments. For example, at least one of the first elastic member 17 and the second elastic member 18 may be an elastic member existing in a plural number. For example, the workpiece holding device 1 according to Embodiment 1 may be a workpiece holding device in which on the outer circumferential surface of each of the first holders 123 of the first swing member 12, a plurality of first grooves 123a extending along the circumferential direction of the first holder 123 is formed and into each of the plurality of first grooves 123a, an annular first elastic member 17 is fitted. Alternatively, the workpiece holding device 1 may be a workpiece holding device in which on the outer circumferential surface of each of the second holders 133 of the second swing member 13, a plurality of second grooves 133a extending along the circumferential direction of the second holder 133 is formed and into each of the plurality of second grooves 133a, an annular second elastic member 18 is fitted.

In addition, the workpiece holding device 2 according to Embodiment 2 may be a workpiece holding device in which on the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 2151 of each of the first holding members 2015, a plurality of first grooves 2151a extending along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 2151 is formed and into each of the plurality of first grooves 2151a, an annular first elastic member 17 is fitted. Alternatively, the workpiece holding device 2 may be a workpiece holding device in which on the inner side surface of the cylindrical portion 2161 of each of the second holding members 2016, a plurality of second grooves 2161a extending along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 2161 is formed and into each of the plurality of second grooves 2161a, an annular second elastic member 18 is fitted.

According to the present configuration, when the first swing member 12 or 2012 is restricted from swinging and moving in the horizontal direction with respect to the base member 11, the plurality of first elastic members 17 can be pressed against the inner side surface of each of the first cylindrical members 15 or the outer circumferential surface of each of the first disk-shaped portions 2123 of the first swing member 2012. In addition, when the second swing member 13 or 2013 is restricted from swinging and moving in the horizontal direction with respect to the first swing member 12 or 2012, the plurality of second elastic members 18 can be pressed against the inner side surface of each of the second cylindrical members 16 or the outer circumferential surface of each of the second disk-shaped portions 2133 of the second swing member 2013. Because of this capability, it is possible to improve a braking force to restrict the first swing member 12 or 2012 from swinging and moving in the horizontal direction with respect to the base member 11 or a control force to restrict the second swing member 13 or 2013 from swinging and moving in the horizontal direction with respect to the first swing member 12 or 2012.

In each of the embodiments, an example in which the workpiece support 142 is formed in a cylindrical shape and on a portion of an inner wall of the workpiece support 142 extending from a substantially central portion in the Z-axis direction to an end on the +Z-direction side, the tapered portion 142b that expands in diameter toward the +Z-direction side is formed was described. However, the shape of a workpiece support is not limited to a cylindrical shape and may be a square cylindrical shape or an elliptic cylindrical shape according to the shape of the workpiece W. In this case, the workpiece holder is only required to be a workpiece holder in which a tapered portion in which area of a cross section orthogonal to the cylinder axial direction increases toward one end side in the cylinder axial direction is formed on the inside of the workpiece holder.

In each of the embodiments, an example in which the first swing restrictor 21 or 2021 and the second swing restrictor 22 or 2022 include the individual pressure control valves 213 and 223, respectively, and the connectors 124 and 134 or the connectors 2153 and 2163 are connected the individual pressure control valves 213 and 223, respectively, was described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the example, and the workpiece holding device according to the present disclosure may be a workpiece holding device in which for example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a swing restrictor 3021 includes a pressure control valve 213 and connectors 124 and 134 or connectors 2153 and 2163 are connected to the common pressure control valve 213. Note that, in FIG. 12, the same constituent elements as those in the respective embodiments are provided with the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 6 and 10.

In each of the embodiments, an example in which by adjusting pressure of air supplied from the air source 211 to the connectors 124 of the first swing member 12 or the connectors 2153 of the first holding members 2015, the first swing member 12 or 2012 is restricted from moving with respect to the base member 11 and by adjusting pressure of air supplied from the air source 211 to the connectors 134 of the second swing member 13 or the connectors 2163 of the second holding members 2016, the second swing member 13 or 2013 is restricted from moving with respect to the first swing member 12 or 2012 was described. However, fluid supplied to the connectors 124 and 134 or 2153 and 2163 is not limited to air and may be liquid, such as water and oil. In addition, the workpiece holding device may have a configuration to supply gas other than air, such as nitrogen and oxygen, to the connectors 124 and 134 or 2153 and 2163.

The foregoing describes some example embodiments for explanatory purposes. Although the foregoing discussion has presented specific embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. This detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the included claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is suitable for a honing device that processes a gear, an injector component, or the like used for a transmission.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 1,2 Workpiece holding device
  • 11 Base member
  • 12, 2012 First swing member
  • 13, 2013 Second swing member
  • 14 Workpiece holder
  • 15 First cylindrical member
  • 16 Second cylindrical member
  • 17 First elastic member
  • 18 Second elastic member
  • 19 Spacer
  • 19a Opening
  • 21, 2021 First swing restrictor
  • 22, 2022 Second swing restrictor
  • 90 Honing tool
  • 91 Tool main body
  • 92 Grindstone
  • 111, 121, 131 Main body portion
  • 112 Supporting column
  • 113 Base
  • 122, 132, 2122, 2132 Shaft
  • 122a, 123b, 124a, 132a, 133b, 134a, 2151b, 2161b Flow path
  • 123 First holder
  • 123a, 2151a First groove
  • 124, 134, 215, 225, 2153, 2163 Connector
  • 125, 135 Bearing
  • 131a Through-hole
  • 131b, 141a, 142a Step
  • 133 Second holder
  • 133a, 2161a Second groove
  • 141 Holder main body
  • 142 Workpiece support
  • 142b, 144b Tapered portion
  • 142c, 1412 Outer flange
  • 143 Biasing member
  • 144 Spacer locking plate
  • 144a hook
  • 144c Protrusion
  • 144d Through-hole
  • 151, 161, 2151, 2161 Cylindrical portion
  • 152, 162 Bottom wall
  • 161a Inner side surface
  • 211 Air source
  • 212, 222 Tube
  • 213, 223 Pressure control valve
  • 214 Pressure controller
  • 1311 Main piece
  • 1312 Holding piece
  • 1411 Main portion
  • 1413 Locking plate support
  • 2015 First holding member
  • 2016 Second holding member
  • 2123 First disk-shaped portion
  • 2133 Second disk-shaped portion
  • 2133a Outer circumferential surface
  • 3021 Swing restrictor
  • J0, J1, J2 Central axis
  • Jx First swing axis
  • Jy Second swing axis
  • W Workpiece
  • Wh Processed hole