Clamping Tool Cam Mechanism for Controlled Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping tools, such as screw clamps and lever clamps, face challenges in providing a consistent and controlled clamping force, which can lead to damage to the object being clamped, especially when repairing high-heeled shoes, as the clamping force can be too high, causing material deformation or not sufficient to prevent movement during repair.
Innovation Solution
A clamping tool with a main frame, slide rail, and a straight line action clamp mechanism that allows for a defined clamping force by controlling the movement of a plunger and lever, ensuring the force is consistent and adjustable, and an orientation adjusting member for secure positioning of the object, preventing damage and ensuring stability during repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw clamps are used to clamp objects, then the clamping operation is well known and widely used, but the torque exerted on the handle is not a good indication of the clamping force due to friction in the spindle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw-threaded spindle mechanism with a cam mechanism. The cam converts rotational motion into linear motion directly, eliminating the spindle friction problem. The cam profile is designed to provide a direct relationship between the applied force and the resulting clamping force, making the clamping force indication reliable without suffering from spindle friction losses.
2Ease of operation
If lever clamps are used to facilitate clamping operation, then the release and return movement is simplified, but the clamping force is transmitted through sliding surfaces which complicates the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the sliding surfaces from the clamping mechanism by using a cam-based system. The cam directly translates rotational motion into linear clamping motion without requiring intermediate sliding contacts, thereby simplifying the mechanism while maintaining ease of operation for release and return movements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high clamping force is applied to keep the shoe in place during repair, then the shoe remains stable, but the material of the shoe sole is permanently damaged by the clamping force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cam mechanism that allows dynamic control of the clamping force. The cam profile can be designed to provide a controlled force application, ensuring sufficient stability during repair while preventing excessive force that would cause material damage. The mechanical advantage provided by the cam allows for precise force modulation.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If low clamping force is applied to avoid material damage, then the shoe sole material is protected, but the shoe can move or rotate in the clamping tool during repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a cam profile with specific curvature characteristics to optimize force distribution. The curved cam surface distributes the clamping force evenly across the contact area, providing sufficient stability to prevent shoe movement or rotation during repair, while the controlled geometry ensures the force remains within safe limits to avoid material damage.
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 tool provides a consistent and adjustable clamping force that prevents object movement while avoiding material damage, ensuring the clamping force is sufficient for repair without causing deformation, and allows for easy orientation adjustments, enhancing ease of use and durability.
Implementation Method 1
A plunger of the straight line action clamp is movable axially in a passage of a base member of the straight line action clamp in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the coupling arrangement along the slide rail. A lever which is mechanically coupled to a proximal end of the plunger controls the movement of the plunger.
Implementation Method 2
An elevation arranged on the plunger defines the maximum displacement of the plunger in the base member when moving the lever from a clamp position of to a release position and vice versa.
Data Source
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AI summary
The application describes clamping tool (100) comprising a main frame (102) provided with a first clamping surface structure (106), a coupling structure (104) configured to be moved along and to be secured to the main frame, a straight line action clamp (112) attached to the coupling structure (104) and a second clamping surface structure (108) mechanically coupled to a distal end of a plunger of the straight line action clamp. An elevation arranged on the plunger (142) defines the maximum displacement of the plunger in a base member (140) of the straight line action claim when moving a lever (144) from a clamp position of to a release position and vice versa, the clamping tool being configured such that a defined clamping force is exerted between the surface structures after the handle is moved from the release position to the clamp position.