Axial Clamping Device for Automated Sample Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for sample preparation in chromatography lack efficient handling mechanisms for automated placement and removal of processing devices, particularly in ensuring secure and adjustable clamping for varying column lengths and preventing damage from excessive pressure.
Innovation Solution
The clamping device features at least three clamping blocks arranged axially, with two movable blocks and a displacement mechanism that allows opposite directional movement, utilizing a two-sided lever arm and elastic compensation elements to ensure secure clamping and adjustable pressure, facilitating automated placement and removal of processing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stationary clamping block and a single movable clamping block are used, then the structure is simple, but automated placement requires two-directional movement which complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into multiple pairs of clamping blocks, where each pair can independently clamp a processing device. This segmentation allows each pair to operate autonomously, enabling automated placement with single-directional movement while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping blocks are designed to be movable in opposite directions along the axial direction, transforming the static single-movement model into a dynamic dual-movement system. This allows both clamping blocks in a pair to move symmetrically toward or away from each other, simplifying automated placement mechanisms.
2Reliability
If clamping force is increased to secure processing devices, then clamping reliability improves, but processing devices may be damaged from excessive pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping force parameter is made adjustable through the displacement distance of the clamping blocks. By controlling how far the movable clamping blocks travel toward the stationary blocks, the system can optimize clamping force to be sufficient for security while remaining below damage thresholds for different processing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force is dynamically adjusted based on the displacement of the movable clamping blocks. The system transitions from a fixed force application to a controllable, variable force application, allowing optimization between secure clamping and preventing damage.
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
This design enhances the handling of processing devices by enabling secure, adjustable, and automated placement and removal, while preventing damage from excessive pressure, ensuring a gas- and liquid-tight seal with adaptable clamping force.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the movable clamping blocks (4, 6, 8) is connected to the associated coupling means (17, 18) via at least one elastic compensation element (31-36). The clamping force acting on the processing device (10-12) which is clamped between the clamping blocks of a pair of clamping blocks can be limited in this way.
Data Source
AI summary
The clamping device according to the invention for clamping at least two processing devices for a sample preparation is made up essentially of at least three clamping blocks arranged in the axial direction, at least two of which are designed as movable clamping blocks, and a displacement mechanism for displacing the movable clamping blocks between an open position for inserting the processing devices, and a clamping position in which the at least two processing devices are clamped one on top of the other in the axial direction between two clamping blocks in each case. The displacement mechanism is designed for displacing the at least two movable clamping blocks in opposite directions.