Clamping Jaw Mechanism for Precise Workpiece Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for workpieces in machining processes are complex, prone to component jamming, and require multiple friction surfaces, leading to manufacturing inefficiencies and suboptimal clamping precision, especially when handling different clamping plates with varying bolt spacings.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with freely movable clamping jaws, allowing direct connection to the clamping jaws for movement, eliminating the need for bearings or additional fixations, and utilizing a spindle with threads to adjust the clamping jaws' position, enabling precise clamping with axial and radial forces, and accommodating different clamping plate formats through multiple sets of clamping openings with varying grid spacings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If complex force redirection with numerous clamping jaws is used to tighten or loosen clamping, then clamping force can be applied, but the number of friction surfaces increases leading to component jamming and higher manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into two independent clamping jaws (40a, 40b) that can be controlled separately, each responsible for specific clamping bolts. This segmentation reduces the need for complex force redirection through multiple friction surfaces, eliminating component jamming while maintaining effective clamping force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex force redirection mechanism with numerous clamping jaws from the system. By using a simplified design where clamping jaws are directly connected to the clamping device without intermediate force redirection elements, the patent removes the source of friction-induced jamming while preserving the essential clamping function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If limited longitudinal movement of drive spindle is constrained by metal pins, then structural stability is maintained, but usability is significantly limited requiring all clamping openings to be occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The drive spindle is designed with dynamic longitudinal displacability within defined limits, allowing it to move freely along the longitudinal axis without metal pin constraints. This dynamic capability enables the spindle to adapt to different clamping configurations where not all clamping openings need to be occupied, significantly improving versatility while maintaining operational stability through controlled movement ranges.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional bearings and position fixation are added to the clamping device, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device achieves positioning precision through the self-centering action of the clamping jaws on the clamping bolts, without requiring additional bearings or position fixation elements. The clamping jaws naturally align and center the bolts during the clamping process, providing accurate positioning as an inherent function of the clamping mechanism itself, thereby avoiding added complexity.
4Force
If multiple friction surfaces are used for force redirection, then clamping force can be distributed, but the risk of component jamming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the multiple friction surfaces and intermediate force redirection elements from the system. By establishing direct connection between the clamping device and clamping jaws, forces are transmitted without passing through multiple friction interfaces, thereby eliminating the primary cause of component jamming while maintaining effective force distribution to the clamping bolts.
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
Ensures reliable, precise, and cost-effective clamping of workpieces, allowing quick release and re-locking, and accommodating various clamping plates without component failure, while reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The clamping device is designed to transmit a tensile force or a compressive force between the two clamping jaws, or between one of the clamping jaws and the reference plane plate
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a spindle with threads to adjust the clamping jaws' position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a clamping device, in particular for clamping workpieces for machining, with a clamping plate (100) which has a flat base surface (101) to be placed on the clamping surface (15) and at least two clamping and positioning bolts (110) which are assigned to the clamping openings (20) and which each have a positioning surface (113), and with a tightening device (50) which is configured to apply an axial force (Fax) and a superimposed radial force (Frad) to the clamping and positioning bolts (110).The invention proposes that the tightening device (50) comprises two clamping jaws (40) and a clamping means (30), wherein a force transmission surface (41) is provided on one of the clamping jaws (40) for each clamping and positioning bolt (110), wherein each clamping and positioning bolt (110) has a force-receiving surface (111) for cooperating with one of the force transmission surfaces (41), wherein the force transmission surfaces (41) of the clamping jaws (40) can be brought into contact with the force-receiving surfaces (111) of the clamping and positioning bolts (110) and thereby the axial forces (Fax) and the radial forces (Frad) can be applied to the clamping and positioning bolts (110), wherein the clamping means (30) and the clamping jaws (40) are displaceable along a single defined axis of movement (A).