Adjustable Clamping Assembly for Uneven Surface Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for semifinished products in mechanical processing struggle to precisely adjust to uneven surfaces and inclinations, leading to unwanted pulling and compression stresses during processing operations.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with adjustable coupling means and a locking system that includes elastic members, such as belleville washers, allows for precise positioning and stress compensation by enabling the clamping assemblies to move between adjustment positions, using a piston and actuator mechanism to maintain or release locking constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If clamping devices with fixed cylindrical bodies are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot adapt to uneven surfaces and inclinations, generating unwanted stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The connection bodies are made movable relative to each other along a guide seat, allowing dynamic adjustment to compensate for surface irregularities and inclinations. This dynamic capability enables the clamping device to adapt to varying positions without generating harmful stresses, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device is divided into separate connection bodies that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each connection body to adjust to local surface variations, improving adaptability without requiring complete structural redesign of the entire device.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple clamping devices with the same height are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but positioning precision deteriorates due to uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The movable connection bodies allow the clamping device to achieve precise positioning on uneven surfaces without requiring custom-height devices for each location. The standard-height devices can adapt to varying positions through the movable mechanism, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving positioning precision.
3Reliability
If the clamping device is rigidly fixed, then the structure is stable and simple, but stress compensation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines rigid fixation with controlled movement through the guide seat mechanism. The connection bodies can move to compensate for stresses, then lock into position to maintain stability. This dynamic-rigid combination provides stress compensation capability while maintaining structural reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic members (belleville washers) are incorporated to provide beforehand cushioning against potential stresses. These elastic elements can deform to absorb stress variations before they affect the clamping force, providing reliable stress compensation in advance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable connection bodies are implemented, then adaptability to surface irregularities improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into modular components: guide seats, connection bodies, and locking systems. This segmentation allows the adjustable functionality to be added as discrete elements rather than requiring complete structural redesign, limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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
The device effectively compensates for surface irregularities and stresses, ensuring stable and stress-free processing of semifinished products by allowing precise adjustment and stress relief, enhancing the quality of mechanical processing operations.
Implementation Method 1
said first elastic member (9) being provided to exert on said locking system (6) an elastic force having a direction substantially opposite to that of gravity
Implementation Method 2
said first actuator (10) being provided to move said actuation piston (7) into the other of the first and of the second actuation positions making said first elastic member (9) yield elastically
Data Source
AI summary
Clamping device comprising a first connection body having a locking portion slidably inserted in a guide seat, which is obtained in a second connection body, so that the first and the second connection body are slidably associated to translate one with respect to the other in a plurality of adjustment positions. The locking portion is deformable between an expanded configuration, in which it exerts a pressure against a lateral surface delimiting the guide seat, and an undeformed configuration, in which it does not exert pressure allowing the first connection body to slide. A locking system is provided to act on the locking portion to deform it between the expanded and the undeformed configuration. Said locking system is moved by an actuating piston slidably inserted in a guide chamber obtained in the first connection body.