Curved Guide Clamping Claw for Variable Height Workpieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clamping claws are limited in flexibility, requiring the clamping surface and support surface to be at the same height and aligned perpendicular to the clamping claw's longitudinal direction, restricting the ability to clamp workpieces with surfaces at different heights or angles.

Innovation Solution

A clamping claw with a curved displacement path for the clamping piece relative to the base body, allowing the clamping direction to be adjusted by pivoting a pressure piece, enabling the clamping surface and support surface to be at different heights and angles, and incorporating a guide device with curved guiding channels to facilitate this adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the clamping element is displaceable along a straight path relative to the base body, then the clamping direction is precisely perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base body, but the clamping surface and support surface must be at the same height, limiting flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping direction alignmentVSAvoidflexibility for different height levels
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device incorporates a curved guide channel that forces the clamping element to follow a curved displacement path instead of a straight line. This curvature enables the clamping element to change its angular orientation relative to the base body during displacement, allowing the clamping direction to deviate from the traditional perpendicular alignment and accommodate workpieces at different height levels and angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, fixed-angle clamping mechanism to a dynamic one where the clamping element's angular position changes continuously along the curved guide path. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the clamping jaw to adapt to various workpiece configurations while maintaining precise clamping force application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the clamping surface and support surface are at the same height, then the clamping direction is perpendicular to the base body, but the device cannot accommodate workpieces with surfaces at different heights or angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandard clamping operationVSAvoidaccommodation of varying surface configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The curved guide channel mechanism provides multi-functionality by enabling the same clamping device to handle both standard workpieces (with surfaces at the same height) and non-standard workpieces (with surfaces at different heights or angles). The guide channel's curvature radius and orientation can be designed to accommodate a range of workpiece configurations, making the device universally applicable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the geometric parameters of the displacement path from linear to curved, which fundamentally alters the relationship between the clamping element's position and orientation. This parameter change enables the clamping element to achieve different angular positions at different points along the guide channel, accommodating varying surface configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a curved displacement path is used for the clamping element, then flexibility for different height levels and angles is improved, but the guide device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for varying surfacesVSAvoidguide device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is segmented into a base body and a separate guide channel component. This segmentation allows the curved guide channel to be designed and manufactured independently, simplifying the overall structure. The guide channel can be shaped to provide the necessary curvature while maintaining a relatively simple attachment to the base body, reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide channel acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the straight-line motion of the clamping element and the curved displacement path required for flexibility. By introducing this intermediate guide structure, the system achieves complex motion patterns without requiring complex direct connections between the clamping element and base body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 flexible clamping of workpieces with surfaces at varying heights and angles, improving the versatility of the clamping device by allowing the clamping direction to deviate from the traditional perpendicular alignment, thus accommodating a wider range of workpiece configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a guide part (182) of the clamping piece (184), which is slidably guided by means of the guide device (209) on the base body (116)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3030379B1Clamping claw for a tensioning device
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 ANDREAS MAIER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3030379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3030379B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3030379B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a clamping claw (108) for a tensioning device (100) for clamping a workpiece (102) on a clamping surface (104), wherein the clamping claw (108) comprises a basic body (116) and a clamping piece (184), which relative to the basic body (116) is slidably held on the basic body, which can be utilized in a more flexible way, wherein in particular in the clamped state of the workpiece (102), the clamping surface of the workpiece and the support surface (112) of the clamping support (114) can be on different height levels, and/or the clamping direction with the longitudinal direction (120) of the clamping claw (108) can form an angle that is different from 90°. According to the invention the clamping claw comprises a guide device (209), by means of which the clamping piece (184) can be displaced relative to the basic body (116) along an at least sectionally curved displacement path (210).