Diagonal Clamping Screw Vise with Locking Racks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vises require greased metal-to-metal slides for low friction, which can contaminate clean environments, and long jackscrews or leadscrews that occupy space and interfere with work surfaces, while screwless toolmaker vises are cumbersome due to the need for relocating and re-tightening a movable locking pin.

Innovation Solution

A vise mechanism using a diagonal clamping screw that acts on a pin in an internal sliding block, with gripper pads and locking racks providing interlocking teeth for horizontal engagement and disengagement, and a spring for tension loading, allowing tactile feedback and eliminating the need for grease or oil, and utilizing a plastic bearing for low friction contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If greased metal-to-metal slides are used for low friction, then friction is reduced, but contamination occurs in clean environments

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefrictionVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A plastic bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the sliding head and the vise body. This plastic bearing provides a non-contaminating lubricated surface that eliminates the need for grease or oil while maintaining low friction for smooth sliding motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If a long jackscrew or leadscrew is used to move the sliding head, then clamping force is achieved, but space is occupied and work surfaces are interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping forceVSAvoidspace occupancy

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping mechanism transitions from a linear longitudinal screw to a diagonal screw that operates in a different spatial dimension. The diagonal screw engages with the sliding head at an angle, pulling it forward and downward simultaneously, thereby achieving clamping force without requiring a long longitudinal screw that would occupy workspace.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If a movable locking pin is used in screwless toolmaker vises, then rough clamping range is set, but relocation and re-tightening is cumbersome and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment convenienceVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking pin mechanism is merged with the diagonal screw mechanism. The diagonal screw directly acts on the pin in the sliding block, combining the locking and clamping functions into a single integrated system. This eliminates the need for separate relocation and re-tightening operations, as the diagonal screw simultaneously controls both the locking pin position and the clamping force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Force

If a diagonal screw is used to pull the sliding head forward, then clamping force is applied, but the screw must be re-tightened after relocating the locking pin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping forceVSAvoidoperation steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 convenient adjustment of clamping range and force application without grease, reduces space occupancy, and provides clear access to workpieces with flat sides and smooth surfaces, achieving 1500 pounds of clamping pressure and 0.25 inches of sliding head movement.

Implementation Method 1

A spring provides tension loading on the diagonal screw

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a plastic bearing for low friction contact

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10953517B2Vise with diagonally oriented tensioning screw and locking racks

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 FAVELUKE ALEX

AI summary

A vise with a sliding head which slides on an elongate body. A diagonal clamping screw passes through a hole in the sliding head and is threaded into a pin inserted in an internal sliding block. The internal sliding block has a toothed pattern which is able to interlock with a toothed pattern fixed to the body underneath the vise slides. The diagonal clamping screw provides force to lock the tooth patterns together and pull the head forward when tightened. A spring provides force to disengage the internal sliding block teeth and fixed teeth on the body when the diagonal clamping screw is loosened.