Clamping Device Elastic Push Mechanism Locking Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices face issues with maintaining a secure locking state due to large clamp reaction forces and are unable to accommodate variations in workpiece thickness, leading to potential release of the lock and failure to clamp when dimensional errors occur.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a push mechanism that elastically pushes a displacement body to guide the rotation of the clamp arm, providing a wider lock range and stable clamping force by allowing displacement in a direction orthogonal to the clamp arm's rotation, ensuring reliable locking even with small device sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clamp arm is locked by bringing it into contact with the inclined part on the piston rod, then the clamping state is controlled, but the lock may be released due to large clamp reaction force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide surface as an intermediary element between the clamp arm and the piston rod. The guide surface guides the clamp arm during rotation and maintains contact to control the clamping state, while the elastic push mechanism acts as a mediator to maintain reliable locking by compensating for reaction forces without directly transmitting them to the piston rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the push mechanism from rigid to elastic, allowing it to deform under clamp reaction force. This parameter change enables the system to absorb and accommodate the reaction force while maintaining the locking function, preventing lock release.
2Reliability
If the piston rod is positioned to lock the clamp arm, then the clamping state is secured, but the device cannot accommodate workpiece thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the system dynamic by introducing an elastic push mechanism that allows the displacement body to move relative to the piston rod. This dynamic capability enables the clamp arm to reach the guide surface at different positions depending on workpiece thickness, while still achieving reliable locking when the workpiece thickness is within the designed range.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic push mechanism automatically adjusts to accommodate workpiece thickness variations within the lock range. The displacement body moves elastically to allow the clamp arm to reach the guide surface, and the system self-regulates to maintain locking without requiring external adjustment mechanisms.
3Volume of moving object
If the device size is reduced, then the clamping device becomes more compact, but the lock reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an elastic push mechanism that functions similarly to a flexible element, allowing deformation to accommodate space constraints in compact devices. This elastic component enables reliable locking in a compact configuration by providing the necessary travel and force absorption without requiring a larger device envelope.
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 solution enhances the reliability of the lock and accommodates workpiece thickness variations, maintaining a stable clamping force and preventing lock release, even when the device is compact.
Implementation Method 1
a push mechanism disposed at a position facing the clamp arm or facing a rotation portion rotated in an integrated manner with the clamp arm, the push mechanism being configured to come into contact with the displacement body to elastically push the displacement body toward the clamp arm or the rotation portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamping device (10) includes a body (12), a clamp arm (14), and a drive mechanism (22) that includes a displacement body (36) displaced linearly, and rotates the clamp arm (14) based on the displacement of the displacement body (36). The displacement body (36) includes a guide surface (74) for guiding the rotation of the clamp arm (14), and also for controlling the rotation of the clamp arm (14) while the clamp arm (14) is in a clamping state. The clamping device (10) further includes a push mechanism (100) disposed at a position facing a lever arm (80) and elastically pushing the displacement body (36) toward the lever arm (80).