Clamping Device with Automatic Play Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clamping devices for vehicle body parts are often specific to a given vehicle model and shape, limiting their adaptability to different models and part shapes, and fail to provide optimal tightening and assembly quality.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a flexible articulation support featuring spring washers and flanges that automatically adjust for play and wear, allowing it to be mounted on standard fixing feet and used across various vehicle models, ensuring reliable operation and geometric precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If clamping devices are made specific to a given vehicle model and part shape, then assembly quality is improved, but adaptability to different models and part shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into modular components: a base unit with articulation support and multiple interchangeable clamping elements. Each clamping element can be detached and replaced with another of different geometry, allowing the same base unit to adapt to various part shapes while maintaining precise clamping performance for each specific application
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit with its articulation support mechanism serves as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of clamping elements. This multi-functional design allows a single device to perform precise clamping operations on different vehicle models and part shapes by simply changing the clamping element, thereby resolving the contradiction between specialization and adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If clamping devices are made adaptable to different vehicle models, then versatility is improved, but assembly precision and optimal tightening deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Each interchangeable clamping element is specifically designed with geometry optimized for particular part shapes and clamping requirements. While the base unit provides universal adaptability through element interchangeability, each individual element maintains local optimization for its specific application, ensuring high precision and optimal tightening when the correct element is selected for the specific part shape
3Ease of manufacture
If standard components are used in the clamping device, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation support incorporates dynamic compensation mechanisms including spring washers and flexible flanges that automatically adjust for play and wear in real-time. These features maintain reliable and precise operation despite the use of standard, cost-effective components, as the dynamic elements continuously compensate for dimensional variations and wear accumulation
4Reliability
If articulation support with play compensation is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation support features self-adjusting mechanisms where spring washers and flexible flanges automatically compensate for play and wear without external intervention. The system serves itself by continuously adapting to wear and dimensional variations, maintaining reliable operation while avoiding the need for complex external adjustment mechanisms or frequent manual calibration
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
The device achieves economic gains through standard component usage, provides high precision geometry, and allows for easy assembly and adjustment, ensuring optimal clamping and assembly quality across different part shapes.
Implementation Method 1
the articulation is provided with spring washers allowing automatic take-up of play and wear
Implementation Method 2
the flanges also have a flexibility such that it enables them to contribute to the automatic take-up of play of the joint
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for clamping parts intended to be joined, in particular vehicle bodywork parts in a body assembly operation. The invention relates to a device (1) for clamping parts intended to be joined, in particular vehicle bodywork parts in a body assembly operation. The device is made up of a stationary arm (11) and a mobile arm (12) forming a clamp, the two arms (11, 12) being mounted on a hinge bracket (2) mounted on an attachment foot (3), said hinge bracket (2) including two flanges (22) between which the hinge pin (7) of the clamp extends. The invention consists in that the hinge is provided with single coil spring lock washers (10) enabling automatic wear and play compensation, and the flanges (22) also have a flexibility that allows same to contribute to the automatic play compensation of the hinge.