Angular Bottle Clamp With Flat Contact Surfaces for Stable Shaking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding clamps for round containers are poorly suited for angular bottles with flat side surfaces, leading to inadequate fixation, increased wear, and potential breakage during shaking movements due to point or linear contact, especially at corners.
Innovation Solution
A holding clamp design featuring flat contact surfaces on the arms that engage two-dimensionally with the angular bottle's side surfaces, avoiding point loads and ensuring secure fixation through distributed force transmission, with optional detachable vessel bearings and spacer tabs to prevent tensile element contact with the bottle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional holding clamps with point or linear contact are used for angular bottles, then the clamp structure is simple, but the fixation is inadequate and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point/linear contact (0D/1D) to surface contact (2D) by providing flat contact surfaces on the holding arms that engage with the flat side surfaces of the angular bottle. This dimensional change distributes the holding force over a larger area, improving fixation stability and reducing wear on the bottle corners.
2Ease of operation
If holding arms are pulled apart manually to accommodate angular bottles, then the bottle can be inserted, but the operation becomes laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The holding clamp is designed with elastic holding arms that automatically adjust to accommodate the angular bottle. The arms self-adjust through their elasticity to close around the bottle without requiring manual pulling apart, enabling easy one-handed operation and reducing insertion time.
3Force
If tensile elements contact the angular bottle at corners, then the holding force is applied, but material failure occurs due to selective loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different contact qualities to different parts of the holding system. The flat contact surfaces on the holding arms provide distributed contact for the bottle body, while the tensile elements are positioned to contact only the holding arms, not the bottle corners. This local differentiation eliminates stress concentration at vulnerable corners while maintaining adequate holding force.
4Device complexity
If holding arms contact the angular bottle at points or lines, then the clamp design is simple, but uncontrolled movements occur during shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two-dimensional flat contact surfaces on the holding arms that engage with the flat side surfaces of the angular bottle. This surface contact provides superior positional stability compared to point or line contact, preventing uncontrolled movements during shaking operations while maintaining a relatively simple overall clamp design.
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 design securely holds angular bottles of varying sizes, preventing wear and tear while ensuring stable operation on shaking platforms, allowing one-handed operation and reducing the risk of detachment.
Implementation Method 1
At least one resilient tensile element, for example a spring, in particular a metal spring, is usually stretched between the holding arms. The holding arms can therefore be pulled apart against the tensile force of the tensile element, the tensile element then pulling the holding arms toward one another.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a holding clamp for holding an angular bottle with flat side surfaces on a shaking platform of a laboratory shaking device, comprising a base plate having a fastening device for fastening the holding clamp on the shaking platform, at least two holding arms which protrude from the base plate and which form a vessel receiving space arranged between the holding arms, and at least one resilient tensile element which is stretched between the holding arms, wherein at least one flat contact surface designed for contact with the bottle is arranged on each of the holding arms, and in that the holding arms are designed in such a way that the flat contact surface can be brought into contact two-dimensionally with one of the flat side surfaces of the angular bottle.