Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to fixtures and more particularly, to a modular fixture for locating and holding a vehicle component and the like, while measuring the component.
BACKGROUND
[002] Automobile is made of many different components and are tested and measured to ensure that the manufactured components are as per the specifications. A c o-ordinate measuring machine (CMM) is conventionally used to measure the components for the dimensions and specifications. However, due to a high demand in bridge type CMM for critical components which have accuracy of less than 50micron there is a significant delay in taking measurement for medium size components on the CMM. Since the idle time of the computer numerical control (CNC) increases, manual inspection of the component may not be possible due to component complexity constraints for loading.
[003] Generally, research and development applications for automotive and other industrial components are not being inspected regularly for inspection. Component dimensions, shapes, tolerance and geometry everything varies from case to case. Hence, there is a dedicated fixture required for measurement of each component which further increases the investment cost.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a modular fixture which is suitable to locate and hold any type components while measuring the component on any CMM, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide a modular fixture for locating and holding components of different complex geometry, dimensions, and shapes.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide a method for locating and holding component of different complex geometry on any CMM.
[007] Still another object of the embodiments herein is to provide the modular fixture which is simple in construction yet facilitates in accurate measurement of components.
[008] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to provide the modular fixture which is portable, easy to manufacture and is inexpensive.
[009] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The embodiments herein are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIGS. 1 depicts an exploded view of a modular fixture for locating and holding a component, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the a fixture member being located and secured onto a base member of the modular fixture, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the fixture with a component clamped onto a fixture member, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method for locating and holding the component while measuring the component, according to embodiment as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve a modular fixture for locating and holding components of any shape, size and dimensions. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the modular fixture for holding component while measuring component dimensions with improved accuracy. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the modular fixture which is simple in construction. Moreover, the embodiments herein achieve the modular fixture, which is portable, easy to manufacture and inexpensive. Additionally, the embodiments herein achieve a method of locating and holding the component using the modular fixture while measuring the component. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 3, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a modular fixture (100), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The modular fixture (100) is adapted for locating and holding a component (C). In an embodiment, the modular fixture (100) comprises a base member (102), a fixture member (104), at least one fixture locator (106), at least one fixture fastener (108) and plurality of locking members (110). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the modular fixture (100) is explained herein below with reference to locating and holding a component typically used in the powertrain of the vehicle while measuring the component. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use the modular fixture (100) for locating and holding any other components of the vehicle, or any other components used in industries or any other places, where measuring the component is required, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the modular fixture (100) as can be deduced from the description and drawings
[0018] The base member (102) is one of a rectangular metallic block or a square metallic block, onto which the fixture member (104) is mounted thereon via the fixture fastener (108) and the locking members (110). The base member (102) includes a front face (102F), a rear face and a plurality of fixture fastener receiving portions (102H1). The base member (102) includes at least one locating member receiving portion (102L) defined at a center or away from the center of said base member (102), where the locating member receiving portion (102L) is at least a through hole.
[0019] In an embodiment, the fixture member (104) is a circular metallic block with plurality of holes (101C) adapted for clamping the component (C) at any desired location on the fixture member (104). The fixture member (104) includes front face (104F), a rear face and a plurality of fixture fastener receiving portions (104H1). The fixture member (104) includes at least one locating member receiving portion (104L) defined at a center or away from the center of the fixture member (104), where the locating member receiving portion (104L) is at least a through hole. The fixture member (104) includes a plurality of locking member receiving portions (104C). The plurality of locking member receiving portions (104C) of the fixture member (104) is defined in one of a con-centric manner and a non-concentric manner. Each locking member receiving portions (104C) of the fixture member (104) is at least a through hole.
[0020] The fixture locator (106) is adapted to locate the fixture member (104) onto the base member (102) at a predetermined position. The fixture locator (106) aids in rotating the component (C) to a desired angle smoothly without any error or deviation. The base member (102) and the fixture member (104) are provided with two dowel holes at 90 degree angle which helps in locking the base member (102) with the fixture member (104). The fixture locator (106) is adapted align the fixture (104) onto the base member (102) at a predetermined position. The fixture locator (106) includes a head (106H) and a body (106B). The body extends from the head (106H). The body (106B) and the head (106H) of the fixture locator (106) is adapted to be received by the locating member receiving portion (102L) of the base member (102) and the locating member receiving portion (104L) of the fixture member (104) respectively thereby aligning the fixture member (104) onto the base member (102) at the predetermined position
[0021] The fixture fastener (108) is adapted to secure the fixture member (104) onto the base member (102). The fixture fastener (108) includes a head (108H) and a body (108B). The body (108B) extends from the head (108H), wherein the body (108B) of the fixture fastener (108) is adapted to be received by corresponding fixture fastener receiving portion (102H1, 104H1) defined in each base member (102) and the fixture member (104) thereby securing the fixture member (104) onto the base member (102).
[0022] One end of each locking member (110) is inserted into corresponding one of the locking member receiving portions (104C) of the fixture member (104) and another end of each locking member (110) is connected with the component (C). Each locking member (110) is adapted to receive corresponding locator of the component (C) thereby facilitating alignment (positioning) of the component (C) on the fixture member (104).
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the fixture member (104) being located and secured onto the base member (102) of the modular fixture (100), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The plurality of locking members (110) is adapted to securely align the component (C) onto the fixture member (104) at a predetermined position. The locking member (110) is fabricated to have an I shaped or a L-shaped structure with fastener provided at one end for clamping the component (C) with the fixture member (104).
[0024] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the fixture (100) with a component (C) clamped onto the fixture member (104), according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. The fixture member (104) is fabricated to have plurality of holes arranged to be in multiple concentric circular patterns. The plurality of holes (104C) is provided to ensure that component (C) of any complex shape and design can be easily fixed to the fixture member (104) through different locking members.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting a method (200) for locating and holding the component (C) using a fixture (100) while measuring the component, according to an embodiment as disclosed herein. A method (200) of locating and holding component (C) using the modular fixture (100) is disclosed. At step (202), the method (200) includes, aligning, by a fixture locator (106), a fixture member (104) onto a base member (102) of the fixture (100). At step (204), the method (200) includes, securing, by a fixture fastener (108), the fixture member (104) onto the base member (102). At step (206), the method (200) includes, aligning the component (C) on the fixture member (104) with respect to the fixture locator (106). At step (208), the method (200) includes, clamping, by a plurality of locking members (110), the component (C) onto the fixture member (104).
[0026] The technical advantages of the modular fixture (100) are as follows. The fixture is simple in construction, yet facilitates in easy measurement. Moreover, the fixture is portable, easy to manufacture and is inexpensive. The modular fixture is used for locating and holding components of different complex geometry, dimensions, and shapes. The modular fixture is suitable to locate and hold any type components while measuring the component on any CMM.
[0027] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We claim,
1. A modular fixture (100) for locating and holding a component (C), said modular fixture (100) comprising:
a base member (102);
a fixture member (104);
at least one fixture locator (106) adapted to align said fixture member (104) onto said base member (102) at a predetermined position;
at least one fixture fastener (108) adapted to secure said fixture member (104) onto said base member (102); and
a plurality of locking members (110) adapted to securely align the component (C) onto said fixture member (104) at a predetermined position.

2. The modular fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base member (102) includes a front face (102F), a rear face and a plurality of fixture fastener receiving portions (102H1);
said fixture member (104) includes front face (104F), a rear face and a plurality of fixture fastener receiving portions (104H1); and
said fixture fastener (108) includes a head (108H) and a body (108B), said body (108B) extends from said head (108H), wherein said body (108B) of said fixture fastener (108) is adapted to be received by corresponding fixture fastener receiving portion (102H1, 104H1) defined in each of said base member (102) and said fixture member (104) thereby securing said fixture member (104) onto said base member (102).

3. The modular fixture (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said base member (102) includes at least one locating member receiving portion (102L) defined at a center or away from the center of said base member (102), where the locating member receiving portion (102L) is at least a through hole;
said fixture member (104) includes at least one locating member receiving portion (104L) defined at a center or away from the center of said fixture member (104), wherein the locating member receiving portion (104L) is at least a through hole; and
said fixture locator (106) includes a head (106H) and a body (106B), wherein said body (106B) extends from said head (106H), wherein said body (106B) and said head (106H) of said fixture locator (106) is adapted to be received by said locating member receiving portion (102L) of said base member (102) and said locating member receiving portion (104L) of said fixture member (104) respectively thereby aligning said fixture member (104) onto said base member (102) at the predetermined position.

4. The modular fixture (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fixture member (104) includes a plurality of locking member (110) receiving portions (104C);
one end of each of said locking member (110) is inserted into corresponding one of said locking member receiving portions (104C) of said fixture member (104) and another end of each of said locking member (110) is connected with said component (C);
each of said locking member (110) is adapted to receive corresponding locator of the component (C) thereby facilitating alignment (positioning) of said component (C) on said fixture member (104); and
each of said locking member (110) is an L Shaped locking member.

5. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base member (102) is a rectangular metallic block or a square metallic block.

6. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fixture member (104) is a circular metallic block;
said plurality of locking member receiving portions (104C) of said fixture member (104) are defined in one of a con-centric manner and a non-concentric manner; and
each of said locking member receiving portions (104C) of said fixture member (104) is at least a through hole.

7. The fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fixture locator (106) aids in rotating the component (C) to a desired angle without any error or deviation.

8. A method (200) for locating and holding a component (C) onto a modular fixture (100), said method (200) comprising:
aligning, by a fixture locator (106), a fixture member (104) onto a base member (102) of the fixture (100);
securing, by a fixture fastener (108), the fixture member (104) onto the base member (102);
aligning the component (C) on the fixture member (104) with respect to the fixture locator (106); and
clamping, by a plurality of locking members (110), the component (C) onto the fixture member (104)