Clamping Apparatus with Gas Spring for Variable Sheet Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping apparatuses are limited in their ability to securely hold workpieces of varying thickness without requiring adjustments in their geometrical characteristics, making them less versatile and less suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates an elastic thrust mechanism, specifically a gas spring, that cooperates with control means to allow the hook member to adjust its position relative to a plane of support, enabling the clamping of workpieces with different thicknesses within a predetermined range, ensuring secure clamping without adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional clamping apparatuses are used without elastic thrust means, then the structure remains simple, but the apparatus cannot accommodate workpieces of different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gas spring as elastic thrust means to provide the necessary force for accommodating workpieces of varying thickness. The gas spring is integrated into the clamping mechanism, allowing the hook member to adjust its position relative to the support plane while maintaining clamping force, thus enabling versatility without substantially increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows the clamping apparatus to adapt to different workpiece thicknesses by changing the position parameter of the hook member relative to the support plane. The gas spring enables continuous adjustment within a predetermined range, allowing the same apparatus to securely clamp workpieces of different dimensions without requiring geometric adjustments
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable geometrical characteristics are implemented to accommodate different thicknesses, then versatility improves, but the apparatus requires adjustments and becomes less reliable for heavy-duty applications
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spring automatically compensates for variations in workpiece thickness without requiring manual adjustment of the apparatus geometry. The elastic thrust means self-regulates the hook member position within the predetermined range, ensuring consistent clamping force across different thicknesses while maintaining the fixed geometrical characteristics of the apparatus, thereby ensuring reliability for heavy-duty applications
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic adaptability through the gas spring, which allows the hook member to move dynamically within a predetermined range to accommodate different workpiece thicknesses. This dynamic adjustment capability is achieved without changing the fixed geometrical structure of the apparatus, maintaining reliability while providing versatility
3Strength
If the apparatus is designed for high strength to handle heavy-duty applications, then durability improves, but the apparatus becomes less versatile for different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the rigid body providing structural strength, the gas spring providing elastic thrust, and the hook member providing clamping action. This segmentation allows the rigid body to maintain fixed geometrical characteristics for strength while the gas spring and hook member provide the necessary adaptability for different thicknesses within the predetermined range
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 allows for versatile use across different thicknesses, maintains high strength and reliability, and reduces maintenance needs, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications with a high number of operation cycles.
Implementation Method 1
the apparatus comprises elastic thrust means adapted to cooperate with the control means in order to allow the hook member, in said clamping position, to reach a plurality of positions close, within a predetermined range, to said plane of support
Implementation Method 2
said elastic thrust means comprising a gas spring that includes a substantially cylindrical body fixed to the body of the apparatus, and a piston slidably mounted with respect to the cylindrical body
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
An apparatus for clamping workpieces, particularly metal sheets, comprises a body (12) defining a plane of support (14, 16) for a workpiece (S) to be clamped, a hook member (20) movable between a resting position spaced from the plane of support (14, 16) and at least a clamping position of a workpiece (S), that is close to the plane of support (14, 16), and control means for controlling the movement of the hook member (20). The control means comprise a control rod (28) that is axially slidably mounted between two opposite positions, a L-shaped lever (52) that is swingably muonted with respect to the body (12) and is articulated to the hook member (20), and a connecting rod (44) the ends of which are articulated to the L-shaped lever (52) and to the control rod (28). The apparatus comprises elastic thrust means (66) adapted to cooperate with the control means to allow the coupling body (20), in its clamping position, to reach a plurality of positions close to the plane of support (14, 16) for selectively clamping workpieces (S) of a different thickness with respect to the body (12).