Dual-Action Clamp With Intersecting Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamps, such as those disclosed in US5,863,033, fail to securely position jaws and plungers to prevent movement of objects under high forces and lack user control over clamping force, requiring two movements along perpendicular axes for operation, making them difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A clamp with first and second clamp members driven by a rotatable shaft, where the shaft's rotation in one direction moves both members towards a closed position, utilizing a motor and inclined surfaces to control movement along intersecting axes, ensuring secure clamping and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If resilient biasing mechanisms are used to hold the object within the clamp, then the clamp can apply clamping force to the object, but the mechanisms will release the object if a sufficiently high force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the resilient biasing mechanism with a motor-driven mechanical system. The motor (230) drives the plunger (204) through a drive shaft (224) and gear mechanism, providing controlled mechanical force without relying on resilient biasing. This substitution allows the system to maintain secure clamping under high forces while enabling user control through motor regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements user control over clamping force parameters through the motor control system. The user can adjust the motor's operating parameters (speed, torque, duration) to precisely control the clamping force applied by the plunger, allowing adaptation to different objects and applications while maintaining security.
2Ease of operation
If two movements along perpendicular axes are required to clamp the object, then the clamp can apply force in multiple directions, but the operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation of multiple clamp members into a single rotational movement of the drive shaft (224). The drive shaft simultaneously drives the plunger (204) along its axis and rotates the cam (228), which in turn actuates the jaw members. This consolidation reduces the number of independent movements required from two to one, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the actuation mechanism from requiring movements along two perpendicular linear axes to requiring rotation along a single rotational axis. The drive shaft's rotation converts into both linear plunger movement and cam rotation, effectively changing the dimensional nature of the input motion from linear to rotational, simplifying the user's operational task.
3Measurement precision
If a motor is used to drive the clamp members, then precise control over clamping force is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cam (228) as an intermediary mechanism between the motor-driven drive shaft and the jaw members. The cam translates the rotational motion of the drive shaft into controlled linear motion of the jaw members, providing mechanical advantage and precise motion control. This intermediary mechanism allows the motor to control clamping force precisely while distributing the complexity across multiple simple mechanical components rather than requiring a complex motor control system.
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
The clamp effectively secures objects by allowing precise control over clamping force and movement, preventing object displacement under high forces with a single rotational motion, enhancing usability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the first clamp member defines a threaded aperture configured to cooperate with a threaded portion of the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes movement of the first clamp member along the shaft
Implementation Method 2
the second clamp member includes an inclined surface adapted to cooperate with an inclined surface on a driving wedge attached to the shaft such that linear movement of the shaft with respect to the second clamp member causes the driving wedge to drive movement of the second clamp member along the second axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamp (1) adapted to be removably fixed to a further object, the clamp comprising: first (5) and second clamp (8) members each configured to apply a clamping force to a further object to which the clamp is removably fixed; and one clamp actuator (3) adapted to drive movement of both the first and second clamp members with respect to each other along respective first and second axes, wherein the first axis intersects the second axis.