Rotating module for clamping device

• US 9,168,616 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2012
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Yeum, Jung Whan
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRANT, ALVIN J
• Application Number:
  US13/558,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20130145874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/006 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 37/0443 Jigs
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/006 Supporting devices for clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/00 Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted combined frame and vehicle body B62D23/00 ; characterised by the material thereof B62D29/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/06 the sub-units or components being doors, windows, openable roofs, lids, bonnets, or weather strips or seals therefor assembling sealing arrangements with vehicle parts, e.g. doors, windows B60J10/45
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19614 Disconnecting means

Abstract

A rotating module for a clamping device is disclosed. More specifically, the rotating module includes a housing including a first connecting section having an end rotatably connected to an upper portion of a base frame and a second connecting section formed vertically to the first connecting section. An end portion of a connecting plate is connected to the second connecting section and a clamping device mounted at the other end of the connecting plate and configured to clamp a panel. A gear unit in the housing is rotated by receiving torque of the operating motor. Clutch units are mounted respectively in the first connecting section and the second connecting section, connected to the gear unit, and configured to selectively transmit torque of the gear unit to the first connecting section or the second connecting section so as to rotate the housing or the connecting plate.

Claims

1. A rotating module for a clamping device comprising:

a base frame;

a housing formed with a mounting space therein, and provided with a first connecting section having an end rotatably connected to an upper portion of the base frame and a second connecting section formed vertically to the first connecting section;

a connecting plate having an end portion connected to the second connecting section;

a clamping device mounted at the other end of the connecting plate and configured to selectively clamp a panel;

an operating motor having a rotational shaft;

a gear unit mounted to correspond with the first and second connecting sections and the rotational shaft of the operating motor in the mounting space of the housing, and configured to be rotated by receiving torque from the operating motor; and

one or more clutch units mounted respectively in the first connecting section and the second connecting section, connected to the gear unit, and configured to selectively transmit torque of the gear unit to the first connecting section or the second connecting section to rotate the housing and the connecting plate, respectively.

2. The rotating module of claim 1, wherein the gear unit comprises:

a driving bevel gear connected to the rotational shaft of the operating motor;

a first driven bevel gear engaged with the driving bevel gear and selectively connected to the first connecting section by the clutch unit; and

a second driven bevel gear disposed vertically to the first driven bevel gear, engaged with the driving bevel gear, and selectively connected to the second connecting section by the clutch unit.

3. The rotating module of claim 2, wherein the driving bevel gear rotates about a first axis and the first driven bevel gear is engaged with the driving bevel gear so as to rotate about a second axis that is vertical to the first axis.

4. The rotating module of claim 3, wherein the second driven bevel gear is engaged with the driving bevel gear so as to rotate about a third axis that is vertical to the first axis and the second axis.

5. The rotating module of claim 2, wherein at least one clutch unit comprises:

an electromagnet assembly configured to generate electromagnetic force by receiving current;

an operating shaft rotatably inserted in the electromagnet assembly, and having an end at which the first driven bevel gear or the second driven bevel gear is mounted and the other end at which the first coupling portion is formed;

a fixed rotator positioned apart from the other end of the operating shaft, rotatably mounted at the electromagnet assembly, and having an end at which the second coupling portion is formed and the other end fixed to the base frame or the connecting plate;

a connector rotatably and slidably inserted in the fixed rotator, and configured to slide on the fixed rotator by the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet assembly so as to selectively connect the first coupling portion to the second coupling portion; and

an elastic member interposed between the fixed rotator and the connector and configured to exert elastic force on the connector.

6. The rotating module of claim 5, further comprising a flange formed at the other end of the operating shaft and configured to prevent the operating shaft from escaping from the electromagnet assembly.

7. The rotating module of claim 5, wherein the first coupling portion is protruded from the other end of the operating shaft toward the fixed rotator by a predetermined length.

8. The rotating module of claim 5, wherein a bearing is interposed between the fixed rotator and the electromagnet assembly.

9. The rotating module of claim 5, wherein at least two fixing pins are integrally formed at the other end of the fixed rotator circumferentially and the fixing pin is fixed to the base frame or the connecting plate.

10. The rotating module of claim 5, wherein the second coupling portion is protruded from the end of the fixed rotator toward the operating shaft by a predetermined length.

11. The rotating module of claim 5, wherein first and second engaging portions are integrally formed at both end portions of the connector corresponding to the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion.

12. The rotating module of claim 6, wherein teeth are formed at exterior circumferences of the first and second coupling portions.

13. The rotating module of claim 12, wherein the engaging portions are formed at interior circumferences of the both end portions of the connector so as to be engaged with the teeth at the exterior circumferences of the coupling portions.

14. The rotating module of claim 6, wherein the elastic member is a circular plate spring.

15. The rotating module of claim 1, wherein the first connecting section is connected to the base frame through a fixing plate, and a bearing is interposed between the fixing plate and the first connecting section.