Compound-Action Ear Clamp Pincers With Direct Jaw Force Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual assembly tools for ear clamps of the compound action type lack reliable force monitoring, and existing solutions are limited to single-action pincers or electrical/pneumatic tools, which are prone to damage and provide indirect, less precise measurements.
Innovation Solution
A manual assembly tool with a deformation sensor directly attached to the jaw members of the compound action type, providing visual, tactile, or acoustic feedback through an electronic circuit and signal means, ensuring reliable force monitoring and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strain gauge is fixed to the lever arm for force monitoring, then the measurement can be obtained, but the measurement precision is reduced due to indirect measurement and the risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deformation sensor as an intermediary element that directly contacts the jaw member to measure force. This sensor acts as a mediator between the jaw member and the measurement system, providing direct force measurement at the point of application rather than indirect measurement through the lever arm, thereby improving both reliability and precision
2Reliability
If a deformation sensor is attached to the lever arm, then force monitoring is possible, but the risk of damage to the sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation sensor is positioned as an intermediary between the jaw member and the external environment, protecting it from direct exposure to harmful factors while enabling force monitoring. The sensor is integrated into the jaw member structure rather than being attached to the lever arm, reducing its exposure to damage risks
3Device complexity
If single action pincers are used for manual assembly, then the tool structure is simple, but the closing force is limited to less than 2600 N
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tool into multiple functional segments: handle members for user input, lever arms for force multiplication, and jaw members for clamping. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling the compound action mechanism to generate forces above 2600 N while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity
4Force
If compound action type pincers are used to generate higher closing forces, then the closing force exceeds 2600 N, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic leverage mechanisms where lever arms pivot about fixed points to multiply force dynamically during the clamping action. The handle members are pivotably connected to lever arms that connect to jaw members, creating a dynamic force multiplication system that generates high closing forces without requiring a complex multi-component structure
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
Ensures robust and precise force monitoring, enabling accurate clamping with enhanced user feedback, reducing the risk of damage and improving tool reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a deformation sensor directly attached to at least one of the jaw members
Implementation Method 2
The deformation sensor is, for example, a strain gauge
Data Source
AI summary
A manual assembly tool (10) of the compound action type for ear clamps, including a pair of lever arms (12, 14), a pair of jaw members (16, 18). The lever arms (12, 14) are pivotably connected to each other at a pivot point (20) near a distal end of the lever arms (12, 14), where-in each lever arm (12, 14) includes a handle end (12a, 14a) on a proximal side and an extension arm (12b, 14b) extending beyond the pivot point (20). The jaw members (16, 18) include clamp edges (16a, 18a) forming a lip for receiving the clamp ears. Each of the jaw members (16, 18) is pivotably connected to the one of the extension arms (12b, 14b) at its proximal end, wherein the jaw members (16, 18) are pivotally interconnected at an intermediate portion of the jaw member (16, 18) so that closing the handle ends (12a, 14a) of the lever arms (12, 14) translates the jaw members (16, 18) towards a closed position thereof, thus squeezing the clamp ear.