Micromechanical Collet Clamping With Fixed Reference and Vacuum Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping systems for micromechanical and horological components lack a fixed reference bearing point, leading to imprecise positioning and difficulty in retaining machined components, and are often inflexible and expensive when customized solutions are required.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with modified standard collets incorporating a precision reference bearing point and vacuum retention, allowing for precise positioning and retention of components, using stationary jaws with a fixed reference and movable jaws with vacuum channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard spring collets with movable segments are used for clamping, then the clamping function is achieved through resilient deformation of segments, but no fixed reference bearing point is provided, resulting in imprecise positioning of components
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is divided into stationary segments and movable segments. The stationary segments provide fixed reference bearing points for precise positioning, while the movable segments provide clamping force through resilient deformation. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without interfering with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary segments serve dual functions: they provide structural support for the collet and simultaneously serve as fixed reference bearing points for precise positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If customised clamping solutions are designed to provide precise positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the overall dimensions increase and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the collet into stationary and movable parts, the invention achieves precise positioning using the existing collet structure rather than requiring a completely custom-designed clamping system. This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost compared to fully customized solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a modified version of the standard collet design rather than creating an entirely new custom clamping system. The stationary segments are essentially copies of the movable segment structure but fixed in position, allowing for easier manufacturing and lower costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the collet segments are made movable to enable clamping, then the clamping function is achieved, but the relative position of the component to the collet changes with dimensional variations and friction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is segmented into stationary segments that maintain fixed reference positions and movable segments that adapt to component variations. The stationary segments ensure positioning repeatability while the movable segments provide clamping adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the collet have different properties: stationary segments have fixed positions for precision reference, while movable segments have resilient properties for adaptive clamping. This local differentiation allows both positioning repeatability and clamping adaptability to be achieved simultaneously.
4Ease of operation
If the centre of the clamp is reserved for mechanical components transmitting clamping forces, then the clamping mechanism functions properly, but no precision bearing point is available for component positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The collet is segmented into stationary segments located at the center that provide reference bearing points, and movable segments at the periphery that transmit clamping forces. This spatial segmentation allows both functions to occur simultaneously without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-function center design to a multi-functional segmented design where the center stationary segments provide reference positioning while the periphery movable segments handle force transmission. This dimensional reorganization resolves the spatial conflict between positioning and clamping functions.
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
Provides cost-effective, precise, and flexible clamping and positioning of micromechanical components, ensuring accurate machining and retention of machined parts, while maintaining compact dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum generator (60) arranged to create a vacuum inside said clamping chamber so as to retain said micromechanical component (200) on said reference bearing point
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping device (100) for holding, centring and/or clamping a micromechanical or horological component (200) in a chamber delimited by a collet including at least one movable jaw (2) and at least one stationary jaw (3), wherein some of the movable jaws (2) and/or stationary jaws (3) include a reference surface (20) to support a component (200) bearing frontally thereagainst, and the gripping device (100) includes both, on the one hand, stationary jaws (3) including the reference surface (20) to support the component (200) bearing thereagainst, and movable jaws (2) for centring and/or clamping the component (200), and on the other hand a vacuum generator (60) for creating the vacuum in the clamping chamber. Also a related method.