Technical field of the Invention
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a self-centering part extractor, more particularly,
a mechanical extractor designed to facilitate the extraction of parts, such as bearings,
bushings, etc., which are common parts in a very large set of industrial machines
and equipment.
[0002] The extractor of the invention is of the type that consists of an off-center spindle
onto which a body is screwed, which itself has a set of articulated arms that hang
around the spindle.
Background of the invention
[0003] Currently there exist mechanical extractors consisting of separable or interchangeable
arms, for example to extract parts of various sizes, which are fixed in a sliding
fork. This fork is part of a transverse frame in which a spindle is located. By centering
the spindle and rotating it, the parts can be removed. This type of extractor is very
basic and new extractors have since been developed, such as those described in the
following documents:
ES 2042353. This patent describes a mechanical extractor comprising a body into which an off-center
spindle is screwed and which carries a set of arms which hang around the spindle.
The central body has radial arms to which the arms are connected, through a support.
Although this extractor has a good coupling between the arms and the central body
and it is very robust, it has the inconveniences of not being able to be used to extract
pieces by grasping the interior and the centering of the device to the part to be
extracted is not reliable.
ES 2113250. This patent is for an extractor in which each arm has an associated radial connecting
rod which links the movement of each arm with respect to eccentric points on a collar
which is mounted such that it can rotate and move axially relative to the off-center
spindle. With this extractor it is possible to align the axis of the spindle with
the axis of the part to be extracted. Each piece is joined to a radial arm such that
it can move by means of articulated flanges and each arm can move independently. A
collar mounted on the actuating spindle provides a coaxial guide to each arm. However,
this extractor' extraction process is not simple and effective.
Disclosure of the invention
[0004] The invention is a part extractor of the previously described type, which, because
it is self-centering, achieves the movement of all the arms in unison by means of
a mechanism that is regulated from the top of the extractor, thus providing a simpler
and more effective use in the extraction of parts.
[0005] The extractor of the invention comprises a first spindle, through which the centering
to the part to be extracted is achieved, onto which is screwed a body to which the
arms are articulated, being two or more, which hang from the body, spaced around the
spindle. On this first spindle, in its upper part and coaxial with it, there is a
second regulating spindle, which is fixed at its lower end to the aforementioned body.
The first and second spindles are independent and the second spindle is externally
threaded.
[0006] On the second spindle are mounted: an upper handle that is screwed onto this second
spindle; a lower ring, which rotates freely and moves along the second spindle; and
an intermediate annular support, also independent of the second spindle, on which
it can rotate and move freely, and which is fixed to the upper handle which can turn
freely but cannot move axially along it.
[0007] To the intermediate annular support are articulated, at one end, a series of radial
connecting rods, equal in number and position to the arms, which hang towards those
arms, to which they are articulated at their free end. The articulation axes of the
connecting rods to the intermediate annular support and to the arms are parallel and
perpendicular to the axis of the spindles. Each connecting rod has an intermediate
longitudinal slot through which passes a pin that is fixed to the lower ring.
Brief description of the drawings
[0008] Next, a series of drawings will be briefly described which will help to better understand
the invention and which are expressly related to one embodiment of it, which is presented
as a non-exclusive example of it.
- Figure 1 shows an elevation view of an extractor constructed according to the invention.
- Figure 2 shows the same extractor in cross-section, according to the cut line II-II
of Figure 1.
- Figure 3 shows one variation of it, corresponding to a three arm extractor.
- Figure 4 shows the extractor of Figure 1, in the fully open position of the arms.
- Figure 5 shows the extractor of Figure 1 with the arms partly open.
- Figure 6 shows the extractor of Figure 1 with the arms fully closed.
Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention
[0009] The features, operation and advantages of the extractor of the invention will be
better understood from the following description of the example embodiment shown in
the drawings.
[0010] Figures 1 and 2 show a two-arm extractor, constituted in accordance with the invention,
which comprises a first spindle (1), around which a second, tubular, independent spindle
(2) is disposed coaxially, which is externally threaded. The second spindle (2) is
shorter than the first spindle (1) and is arranged around the top of the first spindle
(1).
[0011] A body (3) is screwed onto the first spindle (1) to which are articulated a series
of angularly equidistant arms (4), two in the example shown in the drawings, located
opposite each other, hanging around the first spindle (1). Each arm (4) is hinged
to the body (3) along an axis (5) perpendicular to the spindle (1).
[0012] The second spindle (2) is fixed at its lower end to the body (3), and cannot rotate
or move axially relative to it.
[0013] To the second spindle (2) are fixed:
- An upper handle (6) which is screwed onto said second spindle.
- A lower ring (7), which is independent of the second spindle, such that it can freely
rotate and move over it.
- An intermediate annular support (8) which is also independent of the second spindle
(2), such that it can freely rotate and move over it, but is linked to the upper handle
(6) with the freedom to rotate but with no axial mobility relative to it, so that
when rotated in one direction or the other, the handle (6) will move the annular support
(8) along its axis.
[0014] The extractor further comprises a series of radial connecting rods (9), equal in
number and position to the arms (4), which are hinged at their upper end to the annular
support (8) and at the lower end to the facing arm (4), through axes (10 and 11) parallel
and perpendicular to the spindles.
[0015] Each connecting rod (9) has an intermediate longitudinal slot (12), through which
a pin (13), fixed to the lower ring, passes, which can move along that slot (12).
[0016] In Figures 1 and 2 the extractor includes two arms (4), located diametrically opposite
each other. Figure 3 shows an extractor with three pairs of arms (4), located 120°
apart, using the same reference numbers to designate equivalent elements or components.
[0017] With the composition described, the upper handle (6) rotates in one direction or
another, causing the axial displacement of the intermediate annular support (8) (freely
rotating relative to the upper handle (6)) which pulls the connecting rods (9) in
the same direction which, in turn, pull or push on the arms (4), at the same time
as the pins (13) and the intermediate ring (7) move, also in the same direction, securely
controlling the movement of the connecting rods (9) to ensure the opening or closing
of the arm assembly.
[0018] The operation of the extractor is described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In
Figure 4, with the handle (6) at the top of the second spindle (2), the arms (4) are
in the fully open position. Turning the handle (6) clockwise, for example manually,
it moves downwards along the first spindle (1), pushing the connecting rods (9) in
the same direction, causing the arms (4) to pivot about the axis of their hinges (5).
During this movement the connecting rods (9) move and partially pivot around their
axes (10), which movements are controlled by means of the slots (12) and pins (13),
as the longitudinal edges of those slots press on the pins, pushing them downwards
and also moving the lower ring downwards.
[0019] By moving all the connecting rods (6) simultaneously, with linear movement and pivoting
around the axes (10 and 11), all the arms progressively close, Figure 5, until they
are fully closed, Figure 6.
When the lower ring (7) reaches its lowest position, Figure 6, it touches the body
(3) and the upper handle (6) can no longer turn in the same direction.
[0020] To open the arms (4), reverse the process described by turning the upper handle (6)
counterclockwise.
The motive power for the extractor of the invention could be provided automatically,
for example by hydraulic systems.
[0021] The movement of the arms (4) driven by the upper handle (6) is transmitted through
the connecting rods (9) and is controlled by the action of the pins (13) on the edges
of the slots (12). The arrangement of the connecting rods (9) is applicable however
many arms (4) the extractor may have.
[0022] The use of two spindles in the extractor of the invention, with the positioning of
the second spindle (2) relative to the first, allows both spindles to be easily accessible,
which facilitates the possibility of connecting the extractor to hydraulic drive systems.
[0023] The body (3) can be formed from two separate semi-circular parts, joined together,
with the arms (4) between them for the case of a two-arm extractor, Figure 1, or by
three equally shaped parts, for the case of three arms, Figure 3.
[0024] The arms (4) have a longitudinal elbow (14), close to the point of articulation (5)
with the body (3), which point is also where the articulation axis (11) is for the
arms (4) and the connecting rods (9).
1. Self-centering part extractor, comprising a first spindle (1) onto which a body (3)
is screwed on which a series of arms (4) are hinged around the first spindle (1),
characterized by having a second, externally threaded, tubular spindle (2) coaxial with, and independent
of, the first spindle, which is fixed at its lower end to the body (3) and having
fitted, above that body, an upper handle (6), screwed onto the second spindle (2),
a lower ring (7) that rotates freely around, and slides over, the second spindle (2),
and an intermediate annular support (8) which is fixed to the upper handle (6), with
can freely rotate around it, which is independent of the second spindle (2) and is
free to rotate and move over it, whose annular support (8) is articulated to a series
of radial connecting rods (9), equal in number and position to the arms(4), each of
whose connecting rod is hinged at its free end to the facing arm (4) and which has
an intermediate longitudinal slot (12) through which passes a pin (13) fixed to the
lower ring (7).
2. Extractor according to claim 1, characterized in that the arms (4) have, near the point of articulation (5) with the body (3), an elbow
(14) in the same place as the articulation axis (11) of the arm and the connecting
rod (9).
3. Extractor according to claim 1, characterized in that each arm (4) is connected to the annular support (8) through a single connecting rod (9).
4. Extractor according to claim 1, characterized in that each arm (4) is linked to the annular support (8) through two close and parallel
connecting rods, articulated around points on the arms (4) and on the annular support
(8) and provided with facing longitudinal slots through which pass two pins (13) fixed
to the lower ring (7).