Patents Assigned to Pascal Engineering Corporation
  • Patent number: 8246029
    Abstract: A clamp device includes an annular grip member capable of being inserted into an hole in a workpiece and of gripping the inner circumferential surface of the hole, a clamp rod having a tapered shaft portion fitted inside the grip member and engaged therewith, a hydraulic cylinder capable of axially advancing and retracting the grip member and the clamp rod, and a clamp main body member. The clamp device is provided with seating surfaces formed upon the clamp main body member, on which the workpiece is seated, and a poor clamping detection mechanism that detects poor clamping, in the state in which the grip member is driven in its clamping direction by the hydraulic cylinder via the clamp rod, and the workpiece is in its state of being seated upon the seating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8235370
    Abstract: A clamp device includes a grip member, a clamp rod, and a hydraulic cylinder, and, by the grip member being inserted into an hole in a workpiece, it can grip the inner circumferential surface of the hole. The clamp device is provided with: a main body member; seating surfaces formed upon the main body member, upon which the workpiece is seated; a seating sensor that includes a pressurized air ejection hole opening to the seating surfaces; and a workpiece mounting surface that can receive and stop a workpiece at a position that is more advanced than the seating surfaces when the grip member is at an advanced position (its unclamped state), and that shifts together with the grip member during clamp operation when the grip member and the clamp rod shift towards retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8177210
    Abstract: A method for positioning a work, which is adapted for a knock hole of a small diameter and which can absorb a pitch error between a main positioning hole and an auxiliary positioning hole of the work is disclosed. An insert shaft of a main positioning device is inserted into the main positioning hole. An auxiliary positioning device includes a base lower block having a parallel slide holding surface, a sliding flange having a sliding surface, and an insert shaft disposed above the sliding flange. The sliding flange of the auxiliary positioning device is guided and moved by the slide holding surface, and is inserted, while absorbing the pitch error, into the auxiliary positioning hole, thereby to position the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Kitamura, Koichi Sugiura, Takayuki Kawakami, Takayuki Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20120112398
    Abstract: An article positioning mechanism for positioning an article comprising a component or a tool with respect to a mounting portion of a movable member of a mechanical device and also restraining rotation thereof includes a holder member to which the article is fixed and a frame shaped member that is fixed to the mounting portion, the holder member including position regulation surfaces and a tapered male engagement portion that is formed as a regular polygon and also is sloped so as to approach its axis in the direction towards the mounting portion, the frame shaped member including a reference surface that receives the position regulation surfaces and positions them in the axial direction, and a tapered female engagement portion that is formed as a regular polygon and also is sloped in the same direction as the tapered male engagement portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Kitaura, Takayuki Munechika
  • Publication number: 20120098180
    Abstract: A clamp device has a gripping member which is expandable and contractible and is inserted into an aperture in a workpiece and grips the aperture, a clamp rod including a tapered shaft portion that fits into the gripping member, and a drive means for driving the clamp rod forwards and backwards. Provided is a support mechanism that supports the gripping member by fluid pressure when the gripping member is radially expanded, and a fluid pressure release means that releases the fluid pressure of the support mechanism after radial expansion of the gripping member when the clamp rod is driven by the drive means to perform clamping. The support mechanism has an annular pressure reception member that supports the gripping member, and a supporting fluid chamber that causes fluid pressure in the direction opposite to the clamping direction to be received on the annular pressure reception member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8087650
    Abstract: A clamping device is capable of engaging a clamping object with an inner wall of hole or side wall of the clamping object. The clamping device 1 is provided with a rod support for moving an engagement portion 25 of a clamping rod 3 in a direction roughly rectangular to the longitudinal direction of the clamping rod 3 and switchably rotatably supports the clamping rod 3 in a clamping main body across a clamping position and a clamp release position, a piston drive mechanism 6 for driving a piston 4 across the clamping position and the clamp release position, and a cam mechanism 7 for driving the engagement portion 25 in the clamping direction by the driving force of piston drive mechanism 6 for driving the piston 4 to the clamping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignees: Pascal Engineering Corporation, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Kuroda, Takayuki Munechika, Takao Kobayashi, Masato Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20110311665
    Abstract: The ejector device of a molding machine includes: an ejector plate; an ejector drive means for driving the ejector plate in directions to approach towards and to withdraw from a platen; a plurality of rod insertion holes formed so as to pierce through the platen; and a plurality of ejector rods or a plurality of base rods which are base end portions of ejector rods that are inserted into the plurality of rod insertion holes so as to slide freely therein; and a plurality of magnetic rod fixing mechanisms capable of removably fixing the plurality of ejector rods to the ejector plate, or of removably fixing the plurality of detachable rods to the tip end portions of the base rods which are fixed to the ejector plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Kimura
  • Patent number: 8047826
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of injection molding machines is provided with clamp plates fixed on platens and a plurality of magnet units to generate magnetic force for fixing a mold to the clamp plate fitted on the clamp plates; and the plurality of injection molding machines are provided with a plurality of common connectors having the same structure, each of which is electrically connected to the magnetic unit, a molding machine control unit and a power source device; and the mold fixing system comprises a set of operation control units to be shared by the plurality of injection molding machines, and when a mold is to be exchanged in any of the injection molding machines, the plurality of magnet units are switched to the non-adsorbing state or the adsorbing state via the operation control unit in the state where the operation control unit is connected to the common connector of the injection molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Kimura
  • Patent number: 8047520
    Abstract: The coupling apparatus for bringing a pallet 3 (a movable article) near to a base side support 2 from above, positioning it in the horizontal X, Y directions and in the vertical Z direction, and clamping it in a releasable manner comprises a pair of first engaging protrusions 12 and a pair of second engaging protrusions 13 formed on the top surface of the support 2 for positing in the X direction and in the Y direction, respectively; a pair of first movable article side engaging protrusions 32 each abutting the pair of first engaging protrusions 12 on one side and a pair of second movable article side engaging protrusions 33 each abutting the pair of second engaging protrusions 12 on one side; a Z direction positioning mechanism 8 for positioning the pallet 3 relative to the support 2 in the Z direction; and a clamping mechanism 7 for clamping the pallet 3 on the support 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8031038
    Abstract: The magnetic fixing device comprises a clamping plate having a fixing surface to which a clamping object is fixed and plural magnetic force generation mechanisms. The magnetic force generation mechanisms each comprise a magnetic material member facing the fixing surface, plural permanent magnets arranged around the outer periphery of the magnetic material member, a first Alnico magnet placed on the back of the magnetic material member, and a first coil for switching the polarity of the first Alnico magnet, and can be switched between the absorption state in which the clamping object is adsorbed and the non-absorption state in which the clamping object is not adsorbed. An operation state indication mechanism capable of presenting an indicator indicating that the plural magnetic force generation mechanisms are in the absorption state or in the non-absorption state is provided on the fixing surface or outer periphery of the clamping plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20110031670
    Abstract: A clamp device includes a support mechanism that supports a grip member when expanding the diameter thereof, a clamping hydraulic cylinder that can drive the grip member and a clamp rod axially forwards and backwards (up and down), and a main body member to which the grip member, the clamp rod, the support mechanism, and the clamping hydraulic cylinder are mounted, with the grip member, the clamp rod, and the support mechanism being positioned at one end portion of the body member, and with the common axis of the grip member and the clamp rod being offset from the axis of the clamping hydraulic cylinder in a direction orthogonal to the clamp rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7871255
    Abstract: The injection molding machine has a fixed platen and a movable platen for fixing a pair of molds; a pair of clamp plates mounted to the fixed platen and the movable platen, respectively, and having a fixation surface for mold fixation, respectively; and magnetic force generation mechanisms for generating a magnetic force for fixing the molds to the fixation surfaces. An air-gap formation mechanism is provided at least in one of the clamp plates for automatically forming air-gaps between the fixation surfaces and the molds in association with the movement start of the movable platen while the magnetic force generation mechanisms are inactivated for detaching the molds from the fixation surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100320664
    Abstract: A clamp device includes a grip member, a clamp rod, and a hydraulic cylinder, and, by the grip member being inserted into an hole in a workpiece, it can grip the inner circumferential surface of the hole. The clamp device is provided with: a main body member; seating surfaces formed upon the main body member, upon which the workpiece is seated; a seating sensor that includes a pressurized air ejection hole opening to the seating surfaces; and a workpiece mounting surface that can receive and stop a workpiece at a position that is more advanced than the seating surfaces when the grip member is at an advanced position (its unclamped state), and that shifts together with the grip member during clamp operation when the grip member and the clamp rod shift towards retraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20100308524
    Abstract: A positioning and fixing device positions a work pallet in the vertical and horizontal directions relative to a base member via a ring member, and also restricts its rotation around the vertical axis. The base member has Z reference surfaces that can stop a lower end reference surface of the ring member and position it in the vertical direction, and a tapered male engagement portion whose horizontal cross section is formed as a regular polygon having a plurality of outwardly convex circular arcuate vertex portions and a plurality of side portions, and that reduces in diameter upwards. The ring member has a tapered female engagement portion that can engage with the tapered male engagement portion so that its lower end reference surface is in contact against the Z reference surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ichiro Kitaura, Takayuki Munechika
  • Patent number: 7819392
    Abstract: A positioning mechanism in a positioning and clamping device includes an annular tapered surface that is formed on an outer periphery of a cylindrical shaft for positioning a pallet in the horizontal direction, and has a decreasing diameter toward an axial tip of the cylindrical shaft. An annular engaging mechanism, which is formed on an inner periphery side portion of an annular engagement member, is engageable with the annular tapered surface, and is elastically deformed in the radial direction, as a result of engagement with the annular tapered surface. The engaging mechanism has a tapered ring portion, which makes a face contact with the annular tapered surface, and multiple ribs extending outward, radially, from the tapered ring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Kuroda, Takayuki Munechika
  • Patent number: 7780382
    Abstract: A tool unclamping device according to the present invention comprises a motor, a rotary shaft connected to the motor, a cam provided on the rotary shaft, a power transmission member, pressed by the cam to be axially movable, having a recess at the center in the radial direction thereof, a frame so provided as to enclose the power transmission mechanism, a support member inserted into the power transmission mechanism in the radial direction thereof and fixed to the frame, an elastic member set in the recess located between the power transmission member and the support member for urging the power transmission member toward the motor and an output shaft driven by power from the power transmission mechanism for unclamping a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Kitaura, Takayuki Munechika
  • Publication number: 20100092587
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of injection molding machines is provided with clamp plates fixed on platens and a plurality of magnet units to generate magnetic force for fixing a mold to the clamp plate fitted on the clamp plates; and the plurality of injection molding machines are provided with a plurality of common connectors having the same structure, each of which is electrically connected to the magnetic unit, a molding machine control unit and a power source device; and the mold fixing system comprises a set of operation control units to be shared by the plurality of injection molding machines, and when a mold is to be exchanged in any of the injection molding machines, the plurality of magnet units are switched to the non-adsorbing state or the adsorbing state via the operation control unit in the state where the operation control unit is connected to the common connector of the injection molding machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Pascal Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100038179
    Abstract: A lubricating oil received in a portion of a lower end side in a cylinder body is reliably supplied to a rod member and a sealing member to reliably lubricate a sliding part between the sealing member and the rod member by use of a pressure change of compressed gas in a gas spring with the rod member disposed in a posture of protruding it upward from a rod-side end wall of the cylinder body. In the lubricating structure of a gas spring, a pair of check valves preventing a back flow of a lubricating oil from the lubricating oil outlet side to the lubricating oil inlet side are provided in series in a lubricating oil passage connecting the lubricating oil inlet and the lubricating oil outlet, and the lubricating oil is introduced from the lubricating oil inlet into the lubricating oil passage and lubricating oil is discharged from the lubricating oil outlet by use of a pressure change of the compressed gas to supply it to the rod member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100013583
    Abstract: The magnetic fixing device comprises a clamping plate having a fixing surface to which a clamping object is fixed and plural magnetic force generation mechanisms. The magnetic force generation mechanisms each comprise a magnetic material member facing the fixing surface, plural permanent magnets arranged around the outer periphery of the magnetic material member, a first Alnico magnet placed on the back of the magnetic material member, and a first coil for switching the polarity of the first Alnico magnet, and can be switched between the absorption state in which the clamping object is adsorbed and the non-absorption state in which the clamping object is not adsorbed. An operation state indication mechanism capable of presenting an indicator indicating that the plural magnetic force generation mechanisms are in the absorption state or in the non-absorption state is provided on the fixing surface or outer periphery of the clamping plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Kimura
  • Publication number: 20090278291
    Abstract: A fixing structure of a spindle balancer for a machine tool in which a spindle balancer can be attached easily to a machine tool at an appropriate position in an appropriate posture while being supported stably and surely by the machine tool, safety is enhanced when the spindle balancer is attached to the machine tool by lessening the attaching load, set-up including replenishment of the cylinder body with compression gas and regulation of gas pressure is facilitated, and the attachment time and set-up time of the spindle balancer can be shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: PASCAL ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ichiro Kitaura