Adjustable Clamp With Sliding Jaw And Biasing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps are cumbersome to use, requiring both hands to open, close, tighten, or loosen, making it difficult to secure objects like light sources to vertical supports without risking damage.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable clamp design featuring a frame with a fixed first jaw and a slidable second jaw, a stem that translates and rotates to adjust the second jaw's position, and a biasing element to facilitate single-handed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional clamp design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates as both hands are required to open, close, tighten, or loosen the clamp
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates a slidable second jaw that can move along the stem axis, transforming the static clamp structure into a dynamic one. This allows the clamp to transition between open and closed states through single-handed operation of the stem, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element automatically returns the second jaw to its initial position after displacement, enabling the clamp to self-reset without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism improves ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If second jaw is made slidable to enable adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components like stem and biasing element
Solution Approach 1:
The stem serves multiple functions: it acts as a guide for the second jaw's linear motion, provides a rotation axis for the stem head, and transmits force during tightening and loosening operations. This multi-functionality enables adjustability while minimizing the number of separate components needed
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element acts as an intermediary that stores and releases mechanical energy to automatically return the second jaw to its initial position. This intermediary component enables the adjustable mechanism to reset itself, improving adaptability while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables single-handed operation to open, close, tighten, or loosen the clamp, improving ease of use and reducing the risk of damage to the object or clamp.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element biasing the second jaw towards the first jaw
Implementation Method 2
a biasing element biasing the second jaw towards the first jaw
Implementation Method 3
the stem is at least partially threaded and is threadably coupled to the second jaw
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp includes a frame, a first jaw coupled to the frame and fixed in position relative thereto, and a second jaw coupled to the frame opposite the first jaw and slidable relative to the frame. A stem extends at least partially through a stem aperture in the frame and engages with the second jaw. The stem is translatable relative to the frame along a stem axis and rotatable about the stem axis. A stem head is coupled to the stem, and the stem aperture is sized to prevent the stem head from passing entirely therethrough. A biasing element biases the second jaw towards the first jaw, and the second jaw is capable of translating relative to the frame along the stem axis in response to translation of the stem without rotating about the stem axis.