Clamping Assembly With Roller Bearing for Higher Tightening Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices face difficulties in applying significant tightening force due to the nut rubbing against the part being tightened, which limits the clamping force and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a threaded screw, an actuating element, a sleeve, and a rolling bearing that prevents the actuating element from rubbing against the part, using inclined bearing surfaces and clamping elements to distribute force radially and axially, enhancing the clamping force without rotating the sleeve during tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a nut is screwed onto the rod to actuate the clamping device, then the actuating unit can be simple and compact, but the nut rubs against the part to be tightened making it difficult to apply significant tightening force
Solution Approach 1:
A roller bearing is introduced as an intermediary element between the actuating nut and the workpiece. The roller bearing includes rolling elements (needles or small cylinders) that roll between the nut and the workpiece surface, eliminating direct friction contact. This allows the actuating force to be transmitted efficiently without the rubbing friction that would otherwise prevent significant tightening force application.
2Device complexity
If the actuating element directly contacts the workpiece during tightening, then the structure can be simpler, but the friction prevents application of significant tightening force
Solution Approach 1:
The roller bearing serves as a mediator between the actuating element and the workpiece contact surfaces. The rolling elements navigate the interface, converting sliding friction into rolling friction which is significantly lower. This enables smooth operation during tightening without the resistance that would make the operation difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical contact and sliding friction between the actuating nut and workpiece is replaced with a rolling contact system. The roller bearing introduces a different mechanical interaction mode (rolling instead of sliding) that fundamentally changes the friction characteristics and enables effective tightening operation.
3Productivity
If the actuating element rotates during tightening, then the screw mechanism can function, but the sleeve rotates unnecessarily adding complexity and reducing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational movement of the sleeve is extracted and eliminated from the tightening process. The roller bearing is designed to allow the actuating nut to rotate independently while the sleeve remains stationary, guided by the bearing's outer race. This separation of rotational and translational movements enables the screw mechanism to function without inducing unwanted sleeve rotation, maintaining positioning precision.
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 allows for a greater clamping force to be exerted on the edges of the orifice while preventing the actuation unit from rotating the sleeve, ensuring effective clamping without excessive effort, and enabling easy loosening with an elastic ring.
Implementation Method 1
a roller bearing engaged around the screw and having rolling elements interposed between the flange and the actuating element
Implementation Method 2
the screw head having a first inclined bearing surface and intended to be housed in the second orifice... the cylindrical body comprising a second inclined bearing surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a clamping device (1) for clamping a first part (2) and a second part (4) against each other, the clamping device (1) comprising: - a threaded screw (6) having a threaded shank (7) and a screw head (8) having a first inclined bearing surface (18), - an actuating element (9) having a tapped hole (10) into which a second end of the threaded shank (7) is screwed, - a sleeve (11) fitted and mounted freely for rotation around the threaded screw (6) between the screw head (8) and the actuating element (9), the sleeve (11) having a collar (13) and a cylindrical body (12) having a second inclined bearing surface (19), - at least one clamping element (15) disposed around the threaded screw (6) between the first inclined bearing surface (18) and the second inclined bearing surface (19). at least one clamping element (15) being configured to move radially,- a bearing (16) engaged around the screw and comprising rolling elements (17) interposed between the flange (13) and the actuating element (9).