Adjustable Braking Adapter With Elastic Bending Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braking and/or clamping devices for shafts are bulky, require many components, and are not easily adjustable, maintenance-free, or space-efficient, especially when dealing with large diameters.
Innovation Solution
A compact braking and/or clamping device with a gap housing featuring elastic bending plates and a sealed pressure chamber that uses a pressure medium to elastically press friction surfaces apart, allowing for adjustable clamping force and maintenance through a fixable adjusting ring and tensioning mechanism, with a shaft connection assembly that provides clamping and/or braking force without direct contact on the shaft's outer wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional braking and clamping devices use multiple components and direct shaft contact, then reliable braking force is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple braking and clamping functions into a single integrated device. The actuating assembly integrates the braking mechanism and clamping mechanism into one unified structure that acts on a single clamping flange, eliminating the need for separate braking devices and clamping devices. This merging reduces component count while maintaining reliable braking and clamping forces through the integrated friction surfaces and elastic pressing mechanism.
2Force
If traditional devices are designed for large diameters, then adequate braking force is provided, but overall width and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a radial arrangement where friction surfaces act directly on the shaft circumference to an axial arrangement where friction surfaces press against a clamping flange. The elastic pressing mechanism uses axial force to generate radial clamping force through the flange geometry. This dimensional change allows adequate braking force for large diameters while maintaining a compact overall width, as the force generation occurs through axial compression rather than radial expansion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If friction surfaces are made adjustable for different diameters, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and adjustment mechanisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustability through a dynamic elastic pressing mechanism. The elastic element can be compressed to different degrees, allowing the friction surfaces to be pressed against the clamping flange with varying forces. This dynamic adjustment capability enables adaptation to different diameters and loading conditions without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, as the elasticity itself provides the adaptive response.
4Device complexity
If direct contact with shaft outer wall is used, then simple construction is achieved, but the device cannot be maintenance-free and requires precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clamping flange as an intermediary element between the friction surfaces and the shaft. Instead of the friction surfaces contacting the shaft outer wall directly, they press against the flange which is clamped to the shaft. This intermediary simplifies the construction by providing a stable contact surface while enabling maintenance-free operation, as the flange can be independently mounted and adjusted without requiring precise alignment between the braking device components and the shaft.
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 achieves a compact design with adjustable clamping force, is maintenance-friendly, and operates effectively across a wide range of diameters, providing a high holding torque while minimizing space and component count, suitable for repeated cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a sealed pressure chamber (37) which can be filled with a pressure medium in order to elastically press the friction surfaces (31, 32) apart
Implementation Method 2
the bending plates (15, 16) each have tong jaws (23, 29) with friction surfaces (31, 32)
Implementation Method 3
the friction surfaces of the actuating assembly can be placed against the friction surfaces of the shaft connection assembly, providing the clamping and/or braking force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a braking and/or clamping device for a shaft guided relative to a base body, comprising an actuating assembly and a shaft connection assembly. The actuating assembly has a gap housing with two bending plates that are elastically deformable in certain areas. Each bending plate has jaws with friction surfaces whose surface normals are directed inwards. A sealed pressure chamber, which can be filled with a pressure medium, is located between the bending plates. At least one jaw is a fixable adjusting ring that is adjustable on the respective bending plate in the clamping direction of the device. Parts of a shaft connection assembly project between the clamping zones, establishing the connection to the braked or clamped shaft. When the pressure chamber is relieved of pressure, the friction surfaces of the actuating assembly can be applied to the friction surfaces of the shaft connection assembly, thereby providing the braking and/or clamping force.The present invention develops a braking and/or clamping device which, even with a large diameter, has a small width, consists of few components and is also adjustable, simple, safe and maintenance-free.