Clamping Head Changer Gear Mechanism for Lower Actuation Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing changer devices for clamping heads require high physical force due to the mass of the device and the force needed for compressing resilient clamping jaws, necessitating multiple devices adapted for different clamping heads, leading to inefficiency and increased operational demands.
Innovation Solution
A changer device with a central base and pivotably movable adjusting elements, actuated by a rotatable drive member and gear mechanism, reduces the required force by converting rotational movement into radial displacement of clamping jaws, allowing for a modular design with an optional electric drive unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manually actuated changer device is used to compress clamping jaws against resilient intermediate blocks, then the clamping head can be inserted into or removed from the clamping chuck, but high physical force is required due to the mass of the device and the compression force needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the linear compression motion into rotational motion. The adjusting elements are pivotably movable about a tangential axis, and the drive member rotates about a central axis. This dimensional change from linear to rotational movement allows for mechanical advantage through the gear mechanism, reducing the force required for operation while maintaining the necessary compression force on the clamping jaws
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gear mechanism as an intermediary between the drive member and the adjusting elements. This gear mechanism acts as a force amplifier, converting the rotational movement of the drive member into the linear radial displacement of the adjusting elements with reduced force requirement. The gear mechanism serves as a mediator that transforms the input force into the required compression force
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple changer devices adapted to specific clamping heads are provided, then each device can be optimized for its specific application, but device complexity and the number of devices required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the changer device with universal adjusting elements that can accommodate different clamping head configurations. The adjusting elements are generically movable and can be adapted to work with various clamping heads through the engagement portions, allowing a single device design to serve multiple functions across different clamping head types
3Ease of operation
If the adjusting elements are pivotably movable about a tangential axis rather than linearly movable, then the force required for operation is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pivotable movement about a tangential axis instead of linear movement. This dimensional change in the motion path of the adjusting elements creates a mechanical advantage that reduces the required actuation force. The rotational pivot movement allows the adjusting elements to leverage the gear mechanism more effectively, converting torque into radial compression force with greater efficiency
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
Reduces the force needed for clamping head insertion and removal, enabling a more efficient and adaptable system that can handle multiple clamping heads with lower torque and facilitating a compact, modular design.
Implementation Method 1
A gear mechanism is provided for converting the rotational movement of the drive member to the linear radial displacement or the pivotably movable radial displacement of the adjusting elements
Implementation Method 2
The clamping jaws are pushed radially toward one another, with at the same time a compression of resilient intermediate blocks. In this compressed state, they can then be inserted into the clamping chuck. As soon as the mutual application of force onto the clamping jaws is absent, the clamping jaws return into their initial relative radial position
Data Source
AI summary
A changer device for inserting a clamping head into and/or removing the clamping head from the clamping chuck, wherein the clamping head has a plurality of clamping jaws mutually displaceable in a radial direction and which can be mutually subjected to force by the changer device toward or away from one another in the radial direction.The changer device has a base and a plurality of adjusting elements which are movably attached to the base and which in each case have at least one engagement portion for the application of force onto the clamping jaws.The changer device has a drive member which is rotatably movable about a central axis relative to the base. The drive member is coupled by a gear mechanism to the adjusting elements such that by a rotational movement of the drive member the adjusting elements can be jointly moved toward or away from one another.