Pressing piece and pressing piece design method
By designing clamping components that include both high-rigidity and low-rigidity parts, and utilizing generative design to achieve uniform load distribution, the problem of workpiece displacement or breakage caused by uneven load in existing technologies is solved, thereby improving the fixing effect and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies cannot design clamping components that evenly distribute loads and secure workpieces to prevent displacement or breakage.
Design a clamping component comprising an input section, a pressing surface, a high-rigidity section, and a low-rigidity section. The high-rigidity section has higher rigidity than the low-rigidity section, and its rigidity is proportional to its distance from the input section. A uniform load distribution is achieved through generative design.
It achieves uniform load distribution on the workpiece, prevents workpiece displacement or breakage, improves workpiece fixation, and reduces development time and manufacturing costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN122020945A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a clamping component and a method for designing a clamping component. Background Technology
[0002] With the development of manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, product development is becoming increasingly complex. The use of computer-based automated design methods is called generative design, which proposes designs that conform to specified constraints. Generative design helps to streamline the design process and deepen structural research. Patent Document 1 discloses a computer-aided generative design based on overall thickness control, which improves manufacturing and structural performance.
[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-525792 Summary of the Invention
[0004] The invention described in Patent Document 1 implements the requirement of a minimum thickness by applying overall thickness control during the process. This enables efficient shape convergence in an optimized process, and by ensuring a minimum thickness for the part, it facilitates part manufacturing, part structural performance, or both. However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 does not consider maintaining a constant displacement relative to the load. Therefore, it is impossible to design a clamping element that uniformly distributes the load and fixes the workpiece without causing workpiece displacement or breakage.
[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a clamping member and a clamping member design method for uniformly distributing the load input to the input section onto the workpiece.
[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a clamping member comprising an input portion, a pressing surface opposite to the input portion, a high-rigidity portion, and a low-rigidity portion. The high-rigidity portion and the low-rigidity portion are disposed between the pressing surface and the input portion.
[0007] The rigidity of the high-rigidity section is higher than that of the low-rigidity section. The rigidity from each position on the pressing surface to the input section is proportional to the cube of the distance from the input section.
[0008] In the aforementioned clamping component, the high-rigidity part can be made of the same material as the pressing surface, while the low-rigidity part can be a void.
[0009] In the aforementioned clamping component, the high-rigidity section can be bridge-shaped in the cross-section passing through the input section and the pressing surface.
[0010] The aforementioned clamping element can be used to fix the electrodes when processing multilayer electrodes formed by stacking multiple electrodes.
[0011] The clamping member design method according to one aspect of the present invention uses generative design to design the shape of a clamping member that satisfies the following requirements. The clamping member includes an input portion, a pressing surface opposite the input portion, a high-rigidity portion, and a low-rigidity portion. In the clamping member, the high-rigidity portion and the low-rigidity portion are disposed between the pressing surface and the input portion. In the clamping member, the rigidity of the high-rigidity portion is higher than the rigidity of the low-rigidity portion. In the clamping member, the rigidity from each position of the pressing surface to the input portion is proportional to the cube of the distance from the input portion.
[0012] Invention Effects
[0013] According to the present invention, a clamping member and a clamping member design method can be provided to uniformly distribute the load input to the input section onto the workpiece. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the clamping member involved in Embodiment 1.
[0015] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the clamping member involved in Embodiment 1.
[0016] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the design method for the clamping component involved in Implementation Method 1.
[0017] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the clamping member involved in Embodiment 2.
[0018] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the clamping member in the modified example according to Embodiment 2. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The present invention will now be described through embodiments thereof, but the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, not all structures described in the embodiments are necessarily necessary to solve the problem. For clarity, the following descriptions and drawings have been appropriately omitted and simplified. Additionally, in the drawings, the same symbols are used to denote the same elements, and repeated descriptions have been omitted as necessary.
[0020] <Implementation Method 1>
[0021] refer to Figure 1 The clamping member 10 involved in Embodiment 1 will be described. Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the clamping member 10 according to Embodiment 1. The clamping member 10 is used to evenly distribute the load onto the workpiece 20 and fix it. The clamping member 10 includes an input part 101, a pressing surface 102, a high-rigidity part 103, and a low-rigidity part 104.
[0022] Figure 2This is a cross-sectional view of the clamping member 10 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 This shows a cross-section of the clamping member 10 through the input section 101 and the pressing surface 102. Here, the cross-section is located on the XY plane in the figure.
[0023] The input section 101 receives loads from the outside. The pressing surface 102 is opposite to the input section 101 and is disposed on the workpiece 20. The pressing surface 102 causes the load received by the input section 101 to act on the workpiece 20, thereby pressing the workpiece 20.
[0024] A high-rigidity section 103 and a low-rigidity section 104 are disposed between the pressing surface 102 and the input section 101. The high-rigidity section 103 has higher rigidity than the low-rigidity section 104. The high-rigidity section 103 and the low-rigidity section 104 have a difference in rigidity, for example, through structural differences or the use of different materials. The high-rigidity section 103 and the low-rigidity section 104 have a difference in rigidity, for example, through the presence or absence of a solid body, but are not limited to this. The designer may also use other methods to create a difference in rigidity between the high-rigidity section 103 and the low-rigidity section 104.
[0025] The shape of the clamping component 10 was studied using generative design. Generative design refers to a method that enables a computer to automatically generate shapes that satisfy input constraints. Constraints may include information about the structure to be incorporated, the properties of the materials constituting the shape, or the conditions that the shape needs to meet. Generative design can utilize many computer-aided design (CAD) software programs.
[0026] Here, in the design, the rigidity from each position of the pressing surface 102 to the input part 101 is proportional to the cube of the distance from the input part 101 as a constraint condition is input into the generative design. Therefore, in the clamping member 10, the shape of the high-rigidity part 103 and the low-rigidity part 104 ensures that the rigidity from each position of the pressing surface 102 to the input part 101 is proportional to the cube of the distance from the input part 101. Furthermore, "proportionality" here means that it can be considered a proportional relationship; for example, a deviation of about 10% is acceptable.
[0027] As a result, the load-based displacement on the input section 101 in the clamping member 10 becomes uniform. Therefore, the load input from the input section 101 is evenly distributed on the pressing surface 102 in the clamping member 10, thereby enabling uniform surface pressure on the pressing surface 102. In addition, "uniform" here means that it can be considered uniform, for example, a deviation of about 10% is acceptable.
[0028] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the design method for the clamping member 10 according to Embodiment 1. The design method for the clamping member 10 includes steps S11 to S13.
[0029] In step S11, the designer of the clamping member 10 inputs the generative design constraints into the computer design software. The constraints include: (1) the clamping member has an input part 101, a pressing surface 102 opposite to the input part 101, a high-rigidity part 103 and a low-rigidity part 104; and (2) the high-rigidity part 103 and the low-rigidity part 104 are located between the pressing surface 102 and the input part 101.
[0030] Furthermore, the constraints also include: (3) the rigidity of the high-rigidity part 103 is higher than the rigidity of the low-rigidity part 104; and (4) the rigidity from each position of the pressing surface 102 to the input part 101 is proportional to the cube of the distance from the input part 101. In addition, the constraints may include manufacturing constraints on the clamping member 10.
[0031] In step S12, the computer, having input the constraints, uses generative design to propose at least one shape that satisfies the constraints. The proposed shape can be one or more. The computer's display or a printing device connected to the computer displays the proposed shape of the clamping member 10 to the designer. The printing device is, for example, a printer or a 3D printer.
[0032] In step S13, the designer of the clamping member 10 reviews the shape of the clamping member 10 proposed using generative design. If there are multiple proposed shapes for the clamping member 10, the designer can select one. The designer can also modify the proposed shape of the clamping member 10. Alternatively, if there is only one proposed shape for the clamping member 10, step S13 can be omitted.
[0033] If step S13 ends, the design method for a series of clamping components 10 is completed. If the designer of the clamping component 10 determines that the shape proposed in step S13 is insufficient, the constraints can be adjusted and the design can be restarted from step S11.
[0034] As explained above, the clamping component 10 is designed through steps S11 to S13. Therefore, by using generative design, the designer of the clamping component 10 can reduce time compared to manual work to develop a clamping component 10 with uniform surface pressure on the pressing surface 102. Thus, the designer of the clamping component 10 can shorten the lead time required for development.
[0035] <Implementation Method 2>
[0036] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the clamping member 11 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 4This shows a cross-section of the clamping member 11 passing through the input section 101 and the pressing surface 102. Here, the cross-section is located on the XY plane in the figure. Furthermore, Figure 4 The clamping element 11 shown is the same as the reference. Figure 1 The structure of clamping member 10 is identical to that described above. Therefore, repeated descriptions of the structure of clamping member 11 are omitted. Clamping member 11 has a uniform cross-sectional shape.
[0037] The high-rigidity portion 113 of the clamping member 11 is made of the same material as the pressing surface 102. The low-rigidity portion 114 of the clamping member 11 is a void. Thus, the clamping member 11 can be manufactured from a single material by changing its rigidity through shape. Therefore, the clamping member 11 can be obtained at a low cost.
[0038] The high-rigidity section 113 is bridge-shaped in cross-section passing through the input section 101 and the pressing surface 102. Here, "bridge-shaped" refers to a shape formed by an arched frame connecting one end face to the other, a structure supporting the end faces inside the arched frame, and a gap as a hole. Furthermore, the high-rigidity section 113 may have a truss structure in cross-section on the XY plane passing through the input section 101 and the pressing surface 102.
[0039] In the clamping member 11, the high-rigidity portion 113 corresponds to the arched frame and structure, while the low-rigidity portion 114 corresponds to the gap. Therefore, the clamping member 11 can be manufactured through simple machining. Furthermore, the clamping member 11 reduces the amount of constituent material, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and weight. In addition, the manufacturing method of the clamping member 11 is not limited. For example, the clamping member 11 can be a large component obtained through machining.
[0040] Furthermore, while the clamping member 11 in Embodiment 2 is made of a single material, it is not limited to this. As a variation, the clamping member 11 may contain multiple materials.
[0041] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the clamping member 12 in the modified example according to Embodiment 2. Figure 5 This shows a cross-section of the clamping member 12 passing through the input section 101 and the pressing surface 102. Here, the cross-section is located on the XY plane in the figure. Furthermore, Figure 5 The clamping element 12 shown is the same as the reference. Figure 4 The structure of clamping member 11 is identical to that described above. Therefore, repeated descriptions of the structure of clamping member 12 are omitted. Clamping member 12 has a uniform cross-sectional shape.
[0042] The high-rigidity portion 123 and the low-rigidity portion 124 of the clamping member 12 are each made of different materials with different rigidities. As a result, the designer can design the clamping member 12 to make the surface pressure on the pressing surface 102 uniform by taking into account weight, chemical properties, manufacturing cost or manufacturability.
[0043] Refer again Figure 4 The design of the clamping member 11 will be described in detail. From a mechanical point of view, the clamping member 11 can be regarded as having multiple virtual beams arranged from various positions of the pressing surface 102 to the input part 101.
[0044] The displacement of each virtual beam in the clamping member 11 can be expressed by formula (1), which is the formula for deflection in a cantilever beam.
[0045]
[0046] Here, δ represents the displacement, W represents the load, L represents the length of the virtual beam, E represents the elastic modulus, and I represents the second moment of the section. Additionally, 3EI represents the stress per unit displacement in each virtual beam, which can be considered rigid.
[0047] From equation (1), the displacement δ is proportional to the cube of the length L of the virtual beam (i.e., the distance from the input part 101). Therefore, the displacement δ increases as the distance from the input part 101 increases. Generally, the rigidity does not change due to the position of the pressing surface 102. Moreover, in the actual clamping member 11, the displacement δ is the same in each virtual beam. Therefore, the longer the distance from the input part 101, the greater the decrease in load W for the virtual beam. That is, on the pressing surface 102, at positions far from the input part, the surface pressure decreases.
[0048] To ensure uniform surface pressure on the pressing surface 102 of the clamping member 11, the displacement δ relative to the unit load of each virtual beam should be the same regardless of its position. To ensure that the displacement δ of each virtual beam relative to the unit load is constant, the rigidity of each virtual beam must be proportional to the cube of its length L. That is, to ensure uniform surface pressure on the pressing surface 102 of the clamping member 11, it is sufficient to obtain a shape where the rigidity between each position of the input section 101 and the pressing surface 102 is proportional to the cube of the distance from the input section 101.
[0049] Based on the above, the constraints in generative design will be explained. Here, generative design automatically obtains the shape that makes the stress generated when the target component is subjected to a load constant. As a constraint, the clamping member 11 has a fixing part 30 provided on the input part 101. Furthermore, regarding the clamping member 11, as in... Figure 4 As indicated by hollow arrows, a load proportional to the cube of the distance from the input section is applied as a force at various positions of the pressing surface 102. Here, the load is input in the Y direction as shown in the figure. Thus, the designer can use generative design to design the clamping member 11 into a shape whose rigidity between the input section 101 and the pressing surface 102 is proportional to the cube of the distance from the input section 101.
[0050] Furthermore, the clamping member 11 can be used to fix the electrodes when machining multilayer electrodes formed by stacking multiple electrodes. However, the application of the clamping member 11 is not limited to this. In the machining of stacked electrodes, if the load applied to the workpiece is insufficient and the required fixing force cannot be obtained, the workpiece will shift, resulting in machining defects. Even if the fixing force is sufficient, when the load generated by the load actuator is concentrated in a specific location such as directly below the input section 101, sometimes an excessive load is applied locally, causing workpiece breakage.
[0051] By being positioned between the actuator and the workpiece, the clamping member 11 can evenly distribute the load from the actuator and properly fix the workpiece. Therefore, the clamping member 11 can solve the problem of uneven load without adding an actuator, thereby reducing the processing cost of the stacked electrodes.
[0052] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be appropriately modified without departing from its spirit. For example, when using a 3D printer or the like instead of machining, the clamping member may not have a uniform cross-sectional shape, and may also have a complex three-dimensional shape. Moreover, without manufacturing constraints, clamping members of any complex shape can be obtained by imposing constraints in three dimensions that make the load proportional to the cube of the distance.
[0053] Symbol Explanation
[0054] 10, 11, 12 - clamping parts; 20 - workpiece; 30 - fixing part; 101 - input part; 102 - pressing surface; 103, 113, 123 - high rigidity parts; 104, 114, 124 - low rigidity parts.
Claims
1. A clamping component, characterized in that, have: Input section; The pressing surface opposite the input section; High rigidity parts; and Low rigidity section The high-rigidity part and the low-rigidity part are disposed between the pressing surface and the input part. The rigidity of the high-rigidity part is higher than that of the low-rigidity part. The rigidity between each position of the pressing surface and the input part is proportional to the cube of the distance from the input part.
2. The clamping member according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-rigidity part is made of the same material as the pressing surface. The low-rigidity part is a void.
3. The clamping member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The high-rigidity section is bridge-shaped in cross-section passing through the input section and the pressing surface.
4. The clamping member according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Used to fix electrodes when processing multilayer electrodes made of multiple stacked electrodes.
5. A method for designing a clamping component, characterized in that, Use generative design to design the shape of the clamping component. In the clamping component It includes an input section, a pressing surface opposite the input section, a high-rigidity section, and a low-rigidity section. The high-rigidity part and the low-rigidity part are disposed between the pressing surface and the input part. The rigidity of the high-rigidity part is higher than that of the low-rigidity part. The rigidity between each position of the pressing surface and the input part is proportional to the cube of the distance from the input part.