Electric Clamp Worm Gear Self-Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric clamp apparatuses for automated assembly lines fail to reliably maintain workpieces in a clamped condition when the electric motor is not energized, requiring additional locking mechanisms that complicate the structure.
Innovation Solution
An electric clamp apparatus with a rotary drive unit and a transmission mechanism featuring a rotary body with helical screw grooves and a gear connected to the clamp arm, allowing the clamp arm to be locked in place through meshing engagement, eliminating the need for separate locking means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate locking means is added to maintain clamped condition, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking function with the drive mechanism by using a worm gear system where the worm (rotated by the motor) drives the worm wheel (connected to the clamp arm). The self-locking property of the worm gear inherently provides locking capability without requiring separate locking components, thus merging the drive and locking functions into a single integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The worm gear mechanism provides self-locking capability inherently through its mechanical design. The friction and geometry of the worm and worm wheel automatically prevent reverse motion, maintaining the clamped condition without requiring external locking means or additional control systems. The mechanism serves its own locking function through its structural properties.
2Device complexity
If a simple structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of maintaining clamped condition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the locking function within the drive mechanism itself through the worm gear system. This merging allows the simple structure to inherently provide reliable locking without additional components, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The worm gear ratio and friction characteristics are designed to provide sufficient self-locking capability. By optimizing the geometric parameters of the worm and worm wheel (such as lead angle and tooth profile), the mechanism achieves reliable position holding while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 reliable clamping of workpieces even without electric signal input, simplifying the apparatus structure and ensuring high precision clamping operations without additional locking mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary body, which is rotated upon being driven by the drive unit and having helical screw grooves formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a gear connected to the clamp arm and having gear teeth enmeshed with the screw grooves
Data Source
AI summary
An electric clamp apparatus includes a body, a rotary drive unit which is driven rotatably by an electric signal, and a rotary body rotated under a driving action of the rotary drive unit. Gear teeth of a clamp arm are enmeshed with helical screw grooves formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotary body. The rotary body is rotated by driving the rotary drive unit, whereby the clamp arm, which is enmeshed with the screw grooves, is rotated through a predetermined angle to bring about a clamped state for clamping a workpiece.