Clamping Apparatus With Movable Internal Support For Cavity Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping apparatuses struggle to effectively lift layers of objects with cavities, as the cavities can cause shifting and deformation of the objects, and the internal support can limit the capacity of the apparatus when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A clamping apparatus with an internal support that can be lowered into cavities to reinforce the inner walls, preventing shifting and deformation, and can be raised to fit within the frame, maximizing the apparatus's capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the internal support is lowered into the cavity to reinforce inner walls, then the stability and prevention of object shifting is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for vertical movement mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The internal support is made dynamically movable vertically relative to the frame through a lifting mechanism. The support can be lowered into the cavity when needed and raised when not needed, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing stability when needed and maintaining simple device structure.
2Productivity
If the internal support is raised to fit within the frame, then the productivity is improved by maximizing load capacity, but the stability support is lost when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The internal support's vertical position is dynamically adjusted based on operational needs. When the load contains a cavity, the support is lowered to provide stability. When the load does not contain a cavity or the support is not needed, it is raised to maximize load capacity and avoid interfering with the clamping operation, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and stability support.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the internal support is made extendable to reach into cavities, then the adaptability is improved for handling different load types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal support is designed with vertical movability through a lifting mechanism, enabling it to extend into cavities when needed and retract when not needed. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different load types (with or without cavities) while maintaining relatively simple device structure by using a straightforward vertical movement mechanism rather than complex adjustable structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping apparatus includes a frame and two or more clamping arms supported by the frame for movement into and out of contact with a load. An internal support is supported by the frame for reinforcing inner walls of a cavity in the object to be lifted. The internal support may be supported by the frame for vertical movement with respect to the frame so that when the internal support is not needed, it can be raised above the load. The internal support may passively reinforce a cavity, or it may be equipped with movable reinforcing portions which can be moved into and out of contact with the walls of the cavity which is to be reinforced. The frame of the clamping apparatus may have an opening in which the lower end of the internal support can be received over all or most of the depth of the lower end.