Compensating Face Plate Vise Jaws for Multi-Workpiece Clamping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vises can only securely hold one work piece at a time due to single-plane working surfaces, and compensating jaw mechanisms are not easily retrofittable to common vises or interchangeable for different work pieces.

Innovation Solution

A vise face plate with upper and lower compensation structures that project from the base, allowing for vertical movement and interchangeable working surfaces, enabling secure clamping of multiple work pieces of varying sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single-plane working surface is used on face plates, then the structure is simple, but only one work piece can be securely held at a time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of work pieces held simultaneouslyVSAvoidface plate structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The face plate is segmented into multiple independent working surfaces (first working surface and second working surface) that can move relative to each other. Each working surface can independently contact and hold a work piece, allowing multiple work pieces to be held simultaneously while maintaining structural manageability through the segmentation of functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The working surfaces are made dynamic through the inclusion of compensating members (balls, rollers, or sliders) that allow the surfaces to move vertically relative to each other. This dynamic capability enables the face plate to adapt to different work piece sizes and shapes while maintaining secure contact, resolving the contradiction between holding multiple pieces and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If compensating jaw mechanisms are used to hold multiple work pieces, then multiple work pieces can be secured, but the mechanisms are not easily retrofittable to common vises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of work pieces held simultaneouslyVSAvoidretrofitability to common vises

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The face plate design incorporates universal mounting features that allow it to be installed on common vises without requiring specialized compensating jaw mechanisms. The face plate itself becomes the multi-functional element, providing both the holding surfaces and the compensation mechanism in a single integrated component that can be retrofitted to standard vise configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The compensation function is extracted from complex jaw mechanisms and integrated directly into the face plate structure. By taking out the compensation capability and embedding it in the face plate's working surfaces with movable compensating members, the design eliminates the need for separate compensating jaw assemblies, making the system retrofittable to common vises while maintaining multi-work piece holding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If compensating jaw assemblies are used, then multiple work pieces can be held, but changing working surfaces requires swapping entire assemblies or individual compensating elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking surface interchangeabilityVSAvoidtime to change working surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The working surfaces are segmented into separate, independently replaceable components (first working surface and second working surface) mounted on the face plate. This segmentation allows individual working surfaces to be swapped without affecting other components, enabling quick changes to accommodate different work piece requirements while minimizing downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple working surfaces are pre-mounted on the face plate in different positions and orientations during manufacturing. This preliminary arrangement of various working surfaces allows the user to quickly select and use the appropriate surface for different work pieces without requiring complex assembly or adjustment procedures, reducing the time needed to adapt to different machining tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables the secure clamping of multiple work pieces of different sizes without the need for removing and replacing the entire jaw assembly, facilitating easy retrofitting and surface interchangeability.

Implementation Method 1

The compensating members are selected from the group consisting of balls, rollers, and sliders

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10300568B2Compensating face plate vise jaws and related methods

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 CHICAGO EQUIPMENT LEASING SERVICES CO

AI summary

Disclosed generally is a face plate for a vise that is capable of gripping multiple work-pieces of different sizes at the same time. In one embodiment, the disclosed subject matter may be a vise face plate comprising: a base with an upper compensation structure and a lower compensation structure; and, wherein the upper and lower compensation structures define two sets of working surfaces. In use, the plate may be secured to a movable jaw so that the working surfaces may be employed to clamp a plurality of work pieces between the working surfaces and a fixed jaw.