Cam-Lock Sphere Clamp for Secure Release and Adapter Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps do not allow for complete removal of adapters during non-use, leading to potential damage to the clamp and adapter during storage.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a body with a pivot member, cam cylinder, plunger, and lever that securely engages and disengages a sphere of an adapter using a cam mechanism, allowing for easy removal and secure locking, with resilient members to accommodate different sizes and a locking assembly for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamps are designed to hold adapters securely, then the adapters are firmly attached during use, but the adapters cannot be completely removed during non-use, leading to potential damage during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp transitions from a static holding state to a dynamic release state through lever actuation. The cam mechanism dynamically adjusts the plunger position, enabling the adapter to be securely held during use and completely removed during non-use, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the lever and plunger. When the lever is actuated, the cam surface guides the plunger's movement, mediating the transition from locked to unlocked state, enabling both secure attachment and complete removal without damage
2Device complexity
If the clamp uses a simple holding mechanism, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide secure locking or accommodate different adapter sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is segmented into distinct functional components: body, pivot member, cam cylinder, plunger, lever, resilient member, and locking assembly. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the mechanism to achieve secure locking and adaptability without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member allows the clamp to accommodate different adapter sizes by changing the compression force parameter. The locking assembly changes the positional parameter of the plunger to provide secure locking. These parameter changes enable reliability without requiring a completely complex mechanism
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 secure attachment and complete removal of adapters, preventing damage during non-use and storage by ensuring the adapter can be easily detached and reattached without causing harm to the clamp or adapter.
Implementation Method 1
a cam surface cams the plunger in a first plunger direction such that the plunger engages the sphere
Implementation Method 2
A resilient member is positioned in the cam cylinder and extends between the pivot sleeve and the lever such that the resilient member is configured to resiliently bias the plunger against the sphere
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp for releasably clamping onto a sphere of an adapter includes a body having a sidewall and a cavity, a pivot member coupled to the body and defining a pivot axis, a cam cylinder positioned around the pivot member, a plunger coupled to the cam cylinder, and a lever coupled to the cam cylinder and being pivotable about the pivot axis. When the lever is pivoted in a first pivot direction from a unlocked position to a locked position, a cam surface cams the plunger in a first plunger direction such that the plunger engages the sphere and the sphere is held between the plunger and the sidewall thereby securing the sphere in the cavity. When the lever is pivoted in a second pivot direction from the locked position to the unlocked position, the cam surface cams the plunger in a second plunger direction such that the sphere is freely removable from the cavity.