Cam-Driven Clamping Mechanism for Drawing Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drawing machines are unreliable due to difficulties in maintaining consistent fluid pressure in pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, fluid transmission drag, and vulnerability of related control circuits to malfunctioning.

Innovation Solution

A drawing machine design that eliminates hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders by using a cam with a groove and ridge portion to control a clamping device, allowing for reliable clamping and releasing of rods or pipes through a simple structure with fewer elements, including a first plate, clamping device, and driving device with a following roller and linkage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders are used to move the transmit element, then the clamping device can be actuated, but fluid pressure fluctuations and transmission drag occur leading to unreliable operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidfluid transmission drag
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder with a cam mechanism. The cam converts rotational motion into linear reciprocating motion of the following roller, which directly moves the transmit element without requiring fluid transmission. This mechanical substitution eliminates fluid pressure fluctuations and transmission drag, thereby improving operational reliability and eliminating energy loss associated with fluid drag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders with control circuits are used, then the transmit element can be moved, but the control circuits are vulnerable to malfunctioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation capabilityVSAvoidcontrol circuit reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex pneumatic or hydraulic control system with a simple cam mechanism. The cam's groove profile directly dictates the motion path of the following roller, eliminating the need for vulnerable control circuits. This mechanical approach maintains actuation capability while dramatically improving reliability by removing electronic or fluid control components that could malfunction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a cam mechanism with following roller is used to move the transmit element, then operational reliability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the cam mechanism directly into the existing plate structure. The cam is formed on the plate, and the following roller moves along the groove while being supported by the plate's geometry. This merging of the cam mechanism with the plate structure reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of eliminating fluid cylinders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Force

If fluid cylinders are used to actuate the clamping device, then clamping force can be applied, but pressure maintenance is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidpressure consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fluid cylinder that applies clamping force with a cam mechanism. The cam's groove profile is designed to guide the following roller in a way that directly translates rotational motion into the linear motion needed to actuate the clamping device. This mechanical system provides consistent clamping force through precise geometric constraints rather than fluid pressure, eliminating pressure maintenance difficulties and improving force consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides reliable operation by eliminating fluid pressure fluctuations and transmission drag, resulting in a more reliable and simpler structure with reduced components, enhancing the drawing machine's performance and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

The cam includes a groove and a ridge portion. The following roller of the driving device is received in the groove and moves between the first and second positions so that the ridge portion drives the first plate to reciprocate horizontally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

a linkage for connecting the jaws to the following roller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical linkage: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP1938912B1Drawing machine
Publication Date: 2009.03.04 ELITE MACHINE & DESIGN
  • EP1938912B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1938912B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1938912B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A drawing machine includes a plate (10), a clamping device (20), a driving device (30) and a cam (40) which has a groove (41) and a ridge portion (42). The clamping device includes two jaws movable on a first surface of the plate, a following roller (34) movable on a second surface of the plate and a linkage for connecting the jaws to the following roller. The driving device (30) includes a following roller (34) attached to the second surface of the plate. wherein the following roller (34) of the driving device (30) is received in the groove (41) of the cam and moves between the first and second positions so that the ridge portion (42) drives the plate (10) to reciprocate horizontally and control the clamping device (20) to switch between the clamping and releasing modes.