Clamping Device Flange Translation Rotation Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices face issues with imprecision and limited support force due to flange bending and large distances between guides and supports, leading to unacceptable clamping precision and force limitations.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a flange that undergoes pure translation and rotation, featuring first and second support elements providing sliding contact parallel to the movement, enhancing rigidity and force transmission, and guide members with a removable plate and helical groove for adaptable movement trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the flange is moved by pivoting to bring it over the workpiece and then applied by translation, then the movement is rapid and the workpiece can be easily removed, but the flange undergoes bending which causes unacceptable inaccuracy in the clamping and a limitation in the support force
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into distinct functional segments: a pivoting mechanism for rapid positioning, a translating mechanism for precise application, and support elements for force distribution. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Support elements are introduced as intermediary components between the flange and the workpiece. These elements prevent direct transmission of bending forces to the workpiece, thereby maintaining clamping precision while allowing the flange to undergo necessary movements.
2Ease of operation
If the flange is moved by pivoting to bring it over the workpiece and then applied by translation, then the workpiece can be easily removed, but the flange undergoes bending which causes a limitation in the support force
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements extend in a direction perpendicular to the primary clamping force, providing additional dimensional support. This distributes the support force across multiple dimensions, preventing flange bending while maintaining ease of workpiece removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device employs a composite structure combining the flange, support elements, and guiding elements. This composite design allows the system to achieve both high support force and ease of operation by distributing mechanical stresses across different components with optimized material properties.
3Device complexity
If the distance between the guide and the support on the part to be clamped is large, then the flange can undergo bending, but this causes unacceptable inaccuracy in the clamping
Solution Approach 1:
Guiding elements are positioned to establish the flange's movement trajectory before the clamping action occurs. This preliminary guidance prevents excessive bending during the clamping process, ensuring accuracy while maintaining structural flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces a purely mechanical rigid connection with a guided movement system. The guiding elements constrain the flange's motion path, substituting rigid mechanical constraints with controlled kinematic guidance, thereby preventing bending-induced inaccuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for clamping a part to a tool comprises an arm (1) and a body (20) that is fastened when in use to the tool, the arm (1) being mounted in a movable manner on the body (20) and being driven by actuating means (2) between a clamping position and a releasing position, and undergoing a pure movement in translation along an arm axis (V) at the end of its travel towards its clamping position and rotation about the same arm axis (V) at the end of its travel towards its releasing position, the movement of the arm (1) being determined by guide members (3). The device also comprises a first bearing element (41) that is fixed with respect to the body (20) and a first movable bearing element (42) connected to the arm (1), these first, fixed and movable bearing elements cooperating at the end of travel of the arm (1) towards its clamping position, so as to offer each other, away from the guide members (3), sliding contact parallel to the movement in translation of the arm (1), allowing the arm (1) to apply pressure to the part to be clamped.