Container Clamp Segmented Arm Fatigue Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container clamps face issues with premature fatigue and damage due to excessive forces from misalignment or external obstacles, as they are required to compensate for grip width variations and transfer all loads, leading to fatigue fractures and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
Structural separation between the arm and gripper arm with a limited deformation gap allows only the elastically deformable section to compensate for grip width variations, transferring higher forces directly to the locking cam without further deformation, reducing the average load and preventing fatigue, while also enabling cost-effective production and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elastic members are used to compensate for gripping width variations, then the clamp can adapt to different container sizes, but the spring elements are subject to premature fatigue and can be over-compressed by misaligned containers or obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is divided into a rigid section and an elastically deformable section. The rigid section transfers forces directly without deformation, while the deformable section compensates for gripping width variations. This segmentation allows the clamp to adapt to different container sizes while protecting the rigid section from fatigue damage by limiting its deformation to a controlled gap.
Solution Approach 2:
A stop is provided that limits the deformation of the elastically deformable section. This stop acts as a cushioning element that prevents excessive compression of the elastic section when misaligned containers or obstacles are encountered, thereby protecting the spring elements from over-compression and fatigue failure.
2Device complexity
If the locking levers act directly on the locking cam with integrated deformation areas, then the structure is simpler, but fatigue fractures can occur because the deformation areas must transfer all loads from the closing cam to the gripping structures
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is segmented into rigid and elastically deformable sections. The rigid section handles direct force transfer from the locking cam, while the deformable section compensates for gripping width variations. This segmentation prevents the deformation area from having to transfer all loads, reducing fatigue risk while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deformable section acts as an intermediary between the rigid arm section and the locking cam. It absorbs deformation needs for gripping width compensation while the rigid section handles force transfer, preventing the deformation area from being overloaded with all forces.
3Adaptability or versatility
If arched leaf springs with compression springs are used to compensate for grip width variations, then the spring arrangement can handle variations, but the structure becomes multi-part and difficult to clean, and fatigue fractures can still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic deformability is integrated directly into the arm as a monolithic component with a deformable section, rather than using separate leaf springs and compression springs. This merging reduces the number of parts, simplifies the structure, and eliminates narrow cavities that are difficult to clean, while still providing gripping width compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm is made of a material or construction that combines rigid and elastically deformable properties in different sections. This allows the arm to have both structural strength for force transfer and elastic compliance for gripping width compensation, eliminating the need for multiple separate spring components.
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 significantly increases the functional reliability of the clamp by reducing fatigue and damage, allowing it to handle high forces without failure and maintain performance over many cycles, while being easier to produce and clean.
Implementation Method 1
at least one arm (A) designed as a plastic molded part having a flexible rod-like section (7) as an elastic deformation region (B)
Implementation Method 2
The force accumulator consists of two mutually repelling permanent magnets on the axis side facing the gripping structures
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The clamp (K) has gripping arms (G) pivotably supported about two separated axes (2) in an opposite direction. A force accumulator (20) is functionally operative between the arms and arranged at an axis side facing clamp structures (1). A closing lever (3) is actuatable by a closing cam (N) via an elastic deformation area (B), which is a section (7) of an arm (A). The section is positively coupled for joint pivotable movement with the gripping arms and the lever. A defined deformation space (Z) is provided between a stop on the lever and the section in an undeformed state of the section.