Clamping Device for Flat Material Tensile Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in the complex and unreliable gripping and clamping of thin, flexible flat materials, particularly in the electronics industry for battery production, where materials like anode and cathode foils require precise and repeatable positioning during laser cutting to prevent distortions and ensure accurate cutting and removal of cut pieces.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with two opposing pairs of clamping jaws, where one jaw is pivoted above and the other below the material, featuring a clamping element and recess that deform the material out of its plane to create a tensile force, ensuring secure gripping and clamping while accommodating distortions, and a linear guide for additional clamping and handling of materials of varying dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gripping methods are used for thin, flexible flat materials, then the material can be held, but the material undergoes unwanted distortions and overlaps
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaw is divided into multiple functional sections: a first section for gentle gripping, a second section with a clamping element for deformation and clamping, and a third section with a cavity for accommodating distortions. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function without interfering with others, resolving the contradiction between reliable gripping and precision maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the clamping jaw have different local properties: the first section has a smooth surface for gentle contact, the second section has a protruding clamping element for localized deformation, and the third section has a cavity for distortion accommodation. This local differentiation enables the clamping jaw to simultaneously achieve reliable gripping and prevent unwanted distortions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the flat material is clamped firmly to prevent distortions, then positioning accuracy improves, but the material may tear or damage due to its thinness and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The third section with the cavity is designed to preemptively accommodate expected distortions before they can cause damage. By providing a predetermined space for material deformation, the system prevents uncontrolled distortions that would lead to tearing or damage, thus maintaining both positioning accuracy and material integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity in the third section acts as a cushioning space that absorbs and accommodates material distortions before they can propagate and cause damage. This beforehand cushioning allows the clamping force to be applied effectively while protecting the thin, flexible material from tearing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the clamping device is designed to handle various material dimensions, then versatility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaw design with its three functional sections serves multiple purposes: the first section grips the material, the second section deforms and clamps it, and the third section accommodates distortions. This multi-functionality within a single component structure provides versatility for handling various material dimensions without requiring multiple specialized components, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
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 solution provides a reliable, reproducible, and gentle clamping mechanism that prevents unwanted distortions and overlaps, ensuring accurate processing and handling of flat materials during laser cutting, enhancing the efficiency of the production process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one second section for deforming the flat material out of the material plane and clamping the flat material in the closed position
Implementation Method 2
the flat material is at least substantially impermeable to gas, so that the flat material can be held by suction
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping device (400) for gripping and clamping a flat material (12) extending along a material plane (11) includes clamping jaws (402). The clamping jaws include a first clamping jaw (404) and a second clamping jaw (406) extending parallel to a clamping axis (408). The first and/or second clamping jaws are pivotable about a clamping rotational axis (410) running parallel to the clamping axis between open and closed positions. The first clamping jaw has a first clamping surface (414) and the second clamping jaw has a second clamping surface (416). The first clamping jaw has a clamping element (418) projecting relative to the first clamping surface and the second clamping jaw has a clamping recess (420) that is set back from the second clamping surface. In the closed position, the clamping recess accommodates the clamping element so that the flat material is gripped and clamped simultaneously.