Adjustable Clamping Assembly for Uneven Workpiece Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for semi-finished products in mechanical processing are unable to precisely adjust to uneven surfaces and adapt to non-planar shapes, leading to unwanted pulling and compression stresses that affect processing quality.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with adjustable connection bodies and elastic means, allowing for precise adjustment and compensation of stresses through actuation pistons and belleville washers to maintain stable clamping during processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If clamping devices with fixed cylindrical bodies are used to hold semi-finished products, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot adapt to uneven surfaces and non-planar shapes, leading to pulling and compression stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The connection bodies are made movable relative to each other through actuation pistons, transforming the static fixed-structure into a dynamic adjustable system. This allows the clamping device to adapt to varying heights and angles of semi-finished products while maintaining operational simplicity through automated adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes geometric parameters (distance between connection bodies, orientation angles) through actuation pistons to match the specific dimensions and shapes of different semi-finished products. This parameter adjustment capability enables adaptation to uneven surfaces without requiring complex custom-designed devices for each product variant
2Measurement precision
If multiple clamping devices with the same height are used, then the device set is standardized and easy to manage, but the devices cannot precisely adjust to different positions on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation pistons enable dynamic positioning adjustment of connection bodies, allowing precise adaptation to different heights and angles on uneven surfaces. This dynamic adjustment capability achieves high positioning precision while using standardized device components that can be universally applied across different clamping scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means automatically compensate for positioning errors and stresses by exerting restoring forces when connection bodies are displaced from their optimal positions. This self-correcting mechanism achieves precise positioning without requiring complex external adjustment systems or manual intervention
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the clamping device is rigidly fixed to both support base and semi-finished product, then the clamping force is strong and stable, but the device generates unwanted pulling and compression stresses on the semi-finished product
Solution Approach 1:
The movable connection bodies allow the clamping device to dynamically adjust to the semi-finished product's geometry, preventing the generation of unwanted pulling and compression stresses. This dynamic adaptation maintains strong and stable clamping force while avoiding harmful stress concentrations that would occur with rigid fixed connections
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation pistons and elastic means act as intermediaries between the rigid support base and the semi-finished product, absorbing and compensating for geometric mismatches. This intermediary mechanism transmits clamping force effectively while preventing harmful stresses from being directly applied to the workpiece
4Adaptability or versatility
If the clamping device uses adjustable connection bodies with actuation pistons, then the device can precisely adapt to uneven surfaces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation pistons and elastic means serve multiple functions: they adjust connection body positions, compensate for positioning errors, and compensate for stresses simultaneously. This multi-functionality achieves high adaptability to non-planar shapes while minimizing the number of separate components required, thereby controlling 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 ensures stable clamping without stresses, adapting to uneven surfaces and non-planar shapes, maintaining product quality by compensating for thermal deformations and other processing-induced stresses.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping device (1) comprises first elastic means (9), which are inserted into the first guide chamber (8) and are provided to force the first actuation piston (7) into one of the first actuation positions
Implementation Method 2
belleville washers to maintain the semi-finished product in a stable position during processing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Clamping device (1) for holding a semifinished product in position with respect to a support base comprising at least one first and one second clamping assembly (2, 3), which are designed to be indistinctively removably fixed one to the support base and the other to the semi-finished product and they respectively comprise at least one first connection body (3) and a second connection body (5) mechanically engaged to mutually move one with respect to the other between a plurality of first adjustment positions. The first and second connection body (3, 5) mentioned above are slidably associated along a translation direction to move one with respect to the other in the plurality of the first adjustment positions. Such clamping device (1) further comprises first locking means (6), which can be switched between a first constraint condition, in which they lock the first and the second connection body (3, 5) into one of the first adjustment positions, and a first release condition, in which they free the first and the second connection body (3, 5) to mutually move one with respect to the other. In addition, the clamping device (1) comprises a first actuation piston (7), which is slidably inserted into a first guide chamber (8) obtained on the first connection body (3) in order to translate between a first and a second actuation position, in which it maintains the first locking means (6) respectively in the first constraint condition and in the first release condition. The clamping device (1) further comprises first elastic means (9), which are inserted into the first guide chamber (8) and they are provided to force the first actuation piston (7) into one of the first and the second actuation position, and first actuator means (10), which are provided to move the first actuation piston (7) into the other of the first and the second actuation position making the first elastic means (9) yield elastically. In addition, the second connection body (5) is provided with a guide seat (19) with a first lateral surface (20) and the first connection body (3) is inserted into the guide seat (19), slidably along the translation direction, with a locking portion (21) thereof deformable between an expanded configuration, in which it exerts a pressure against the first lateral surface (20) so as to prevent the first connection body (3) from sliding in the guide seat (19), and an undeformed configuration, in which it does not exert pressure against the first lateral surface (20) allowing the first connection body (3) to slide. The first locking means (6) are provided to maintain the locking portion (21) in the expanded configuration when they are in the constraint condition and they are provided to maintain the locking portion (21) in the undeformed configuration when they are in the release condition.