Detachable Claw Attachments for Bending Smooth Metal Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic actuation devices struggle to grasp and bend smooth objects, such as metal plates, due to the tip portions sliding on the surface, causing the device to move away from the object and preventing effective deformation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of first and second auxiliary members with claw portions and attachment pins, made from frictional materials, are detachably attached to the tip portions of the arms, allowing them to grasp and hold the object securely during closure, preventing sliding and ensuring effective bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tip portions of the arms directly contact smooth objects, then the structure remains simple, but the arms slide on the object surface and cannot grasp it effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces auxiliary members as intermediary elements between the arm tip portions and the smooth object. These auxiliary members include frictional material portions that increase friction with the object surface, preventing sliding and enabling effective grasping. The auxiliary members are detachably attached to the arm tips, providing the needed friction without permanently modifying the arm structure.
2Reliability
If frictional material is added to increase grasping ability, then grasping reliability improves, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the grasping function into separate auxiliary members that can be independently attached to each arm tip portion. This segmentation allows the frictional material to be applied only where needed (at the contact points with the object) rather than covering entire arm surfaces, reducing the overall amount of material and complexity required.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary members are designed to be detachably attached, allowing dynamic configuration where the frictional material is applied only when grasping smooth objects is required. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt its complexity level based on operational needs.
3Force
If the arms are made to close tightly to bend the object, then the bending force increases, but the claw portions may come into contact with each other reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies frictional material specifically at the local contact regions (claw portions) of the auxiliary members, concentrating the grasping force where it is most needed. This localized friction enhancement allows effective grasping without requiring the entire arm structure to be modified, enabling tight closure for maximum bending force while maintaining grasping effectiveness.
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 hydraulic actuation device to securely grasp and bend smooth objects by preventing sliding and ensuring the claw portions do not come into contact with each other, even when the arms are fully closed, thus allowing reliable deformation of the object.
Implementation Method 1
first and second auxiliary members with claw portions and attachment pins, made from frictional materials, are detachably attached to the tip portions of the arms
Data Source
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AI summary
An auxiliary tool to be detachably attached to tip portions (36, 46) of a pair of arms (30, 40) which are opened/closed by each rotating relative to a base (24) of an actuation device (e.g., hydraulic actuation device (10)), includes a first auxiliary member (60) to be detachably attached to a first arm (30) of the pair of arms (30, 40), the first auxiliary member (60) having at least one claw portion (62), and a second auxiliary member (70) to be detachably attached to a second arm (40) of the pair of arms (30, 40), the second auxiliary member (70) having at least one claw portion (72). Positions of the claw portion (62) of the first auxiliary member (60) and the claw portion (72) of the second auxiliary member (70) are such positions that the claw portion (62) of the first auxiliary member (60) and the claw portion (72) of the second auxiliary member (70) do not come into contact with each other even when the arms (30, 40) are closed in a state in which the first auxiliary member (60) is attached to the first arm (30) and the second auxiliary member (70) is attached to the second arm (40).