Adjustable Torque Clamping Fixture With Slip Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual clamping fixtures lack precision in determining the magnitude of clamping force, leading to unreliable clamping or potential damage to the object due to excessive force.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable torque clamping fixture with a threaded rod and an adjustable torque handle that includes a grab handle, axial support spring, and an adjustment mechanism, allowing for precise control of clamping force by transmitting torsion through beveled teeth, which prevents excessive force application by slipping when maximum torque is reached.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a manual clamping fixture is used without torque control, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but the clamping force magnitude cannot be determined, leading to unreliable clamping or potential damage to the object

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping reliabilityVSAvoidfixture structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A torque limiting mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user's manual torque input and the clamping force output. The beveled teeth and spring system mediate the torque transmission, automatically limiting the maximum clamping force to a predetermined safe value while maintaining simple manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring pre-compression force is adjusted to change the maximum clamping force limit. By modifying the spring parameter (pre-compression amount), the system adapts to different clamping requirements while maintaining the same simple structure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a larger clamping force is applied to ensure reliable clamping, then the clamping reliability improves, but the object may be damaged due to excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping reliabilityVSAvoiddamage to clamped object
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring pre-compression creates a preliminary counteracting force that opposes the torque input. When the input torque exceeds the predetermined limit, the spring force increases to counterbalance the excess torque, preventing damage to the clamped object while ensuring sufficient clamping force for reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The potential harmful effect of excessive torque is converted into a beneficial feature. The spring mechanism transforms the excess torque input into increased spring compression, which automatically limits the clamping force to a safe level. The 'harm' of uncontrolled torque becomes the 'benefit' of automatic torque limiting that protects the object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Manufacturing precision

If an adjustable torque mechanism is added to control clamping force, then the manufacturing precision and control accuracy improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping force control precisionVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment and self-limiting of torque without requiring complex external control systems. The spring automatically adjusts its compression to limit the torque, and the beveled teeth mechanism self-regulates the force transmission. This self-service capability achieves precise torque control while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 precise and controlled clamping, preventing damage to objects by ensuring that no larger clamping force is applied beyond the set maximum, thus achieving reliable and safe clamping operations.

Implementation Method 1

an axial support spring and an adjustment mechanism, the axial support spring is provided between the second end face teeth and the adjustment mechanism and is configured to for apply a spring force to the second end face teeth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a first clamping body driven by a threaded rod and used for clamping an object, an axial movement of the threaded rod being realized by screw thread transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew thread transmission: Screw

Implementation Method 3

the first end face teeth is located in the inner cavity, is rotatably sleeved on the threaded rod and fixedly assembled with the grab handle to transmit torsion from the grab handle to the second end face teeth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3904004B1Adjustable torque clamping fixture
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 HANGZHOU UNITED ELECTRIC MFG CO LTD
  • EP3904004B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3904004B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3904004B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Some embodiments of the present invention provide an adjustable torque clamping fixture, including a clamping body (2) driven by a threaded rod (01) to move and used for clamping an object. The threaded rod (01) implements an axial movement thereof by means of screw thread transmission. An adjustable torque handle (03) is configured at the rear end of the threaded rod (01). The maximum clamping force is adjusted by the adjustable torque handle (03). When the maximum clamping force is attained, continued application of a torque on the threaded rod (01) by the handle (03) results in slippage, so that no larger clamping force can be applied, thus implementing precision clamping, and preventing the clamped object from being damaged by an excessive torque. The adjustable torque clamping fixture overcomes the shortcoming of a manual clamping fixture known to inventors of which the magnitude of the clamping force is difficult to determine during use.