Technical Field
The invention relates to a pneumatic cylinder device having a short travel distance but high force.
Background of the Invention
A cylinder device of this type has become known from GB 2 001 703 A. That device comprises two pistons which are arranged coaxially relative to each other. The pistons are in the form of hollow pistons, and are biased by pressure springs.
A similar cylinder device has become known from DE 22 32 709 C2. There, only one piston is movable within one cylinder. Pressure is transmitted from the cylinder via a lever system to a connecting rod.
Pneumatic cylinder devices, as compared with hydro cylinders, are economical and popular devices which are harmless to the environment, and which are widely accepted in all kinds of technology. Their use is however limited to those applications which require only low forces, and which in addition there is sufficient space available. For these reasons pneumatic cylinder devices according to the above discussed documents are generally not be used for the transmission of high forces.
Summary of the Invention
It is the objective of the invention to provide a pneumatic cylinder device which is able to transmit high forces, but requires only little space. This objective is achieved by a pneumatic cylinder device including a cylinder housing having a cylindrical bore for guiding of pistons and of a piston rod, two pistons which move in opposite lengthwise directions upon generation of a fluid pressure between the two pistons, a mechanical lever system and a housing cover. The improvement comprises: the first of the two pistons being connected to the piston rod; the second of the two pistons being arranged coaxially relative to the first piston and provided with a bore and movable coaxially relative to the piston rod; the first of the two pistons cooperating with a lever system at the side of the interior of the cylinder opposite to the second of the said two pistons; and, wherein a pressure force exerted by the second piston is transmitted to the piston rod via the lever system in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the second piston.
Brief Description of the Drawing
The invention is described more in detail in the accompanying drawing wherein a pneumatic cylinder device according to the present invention is shown in cross-section.
Description of the Specific Embodiment
The drawing shows, in general, a pneumatic cylinder device having two pistons 1 and 2. The pistons are arranged coaxially relative to each other, and are mounted within a housing 3. Piston 3 which is arranged below piston 2, is provided with a shaft 4.1 which extends downwardly through a bore 5 in the bottom 3.1 of the housing 3. An O-ring 6 is inserted in an annular groove which surrounds shaft 4.1, and which provides for a gas-tight seal between bottom 3.1 and shaft 4.1. There is a ring shaped chamber 7 formed between the lower surface of piston 1 and the upper surface of bottom 3.1. The said chamber 7 is provided with an inlet 7.1, shown with an arrow, for pressurized air.
A further chamber 8 is formed between the upper surface of piston 1 and the lower surface of piston 2. Also, chamber 8 is provided with an inlet 8.1, shown with an arrow, for pressurized air. Instead of air any other control fluid--gaseous or liquid--may be used.
At the cover 3.2 of the housing 3 there is provided a lever system including two levers 9.1, 9.2. Each lever is pivotably journalled at pivot pins 10.1 and 10.2. The outer arms of levers 9.1 and 9.2 are supported by slidable pressure shoes 11.1, 11.2, whereas the inner arms of the said levers 9.1 and 9.2 may exert pressure on respective shoes 12 mounted on top of shaft 4.2.
The pneumatic cylinder device described above and shown in the drawing works as follows:
If it is desired to transmit a force via shaft 4.1 in the direction of arrow A, pressurized fluid is inserted into chamber 8 via inlet 8.1. The fluid moves cylinders 1 and 2 apart, whereby cylinder 1 goes downwardly and cylinder 2 goes upwardly. When going upwardly, cylinder 2 exerts pressure via shoes 11.1 and 11.2 upon the ends of the outer arms of levers 9.1 and 9.2, so that the ends of the inner arms of the said levers 9.1 and 9.2 will exert pressure via the said shoes 12 upon the upper end of shaft 4.2. As a result thereof, shaft 4.2, shaft 4.1 and piston 1, which are all integral with each other, will move downwardly.
Movement in the opposite direction would be achieved by feeding chamber 7 via inlet 7.1 with pressurized fluid.