Elastic Clamping Jaws for Universal Workpiece Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In medium-sized series production, clamping workpieces is often complex and expensive, requiring a clamping device that is both simple and inexpensive to manufacture, while allowing for quick, easy, and secure clamping.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a workpiece carrier featuring material-elastically deflectable clamping jaws, adjustable top jaws, and an actuating mechanism that uses spreading tools to securely hold workpieces, allowing for precise positioning and universal use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a clamping device is designed to be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, then manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but the ability to securely clamp workpieces of different sizes and thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaws are designed to be elastically deflectable, allowing them to dynamically adapt to different workpiece thicknesses and sizes. The elastic deflection enables the jaws to flex outward when spread apart and return to their original position when releasing, providing universal adaptability without requiring multiple specialized clamping devices for different workpiece dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the clamping jaws from rigid to elastically flexible, allowing them to undergo reversible deformation. This parameter change enables the same clamping jaw structure to accommodate various workpiece sizes by adjusting its deflection degree, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining a simple and inexpensive design.
2Device complexity
If material-elastically deflectable clamping jaws are used, then the clamping device becomes simpler and less expensive, but the precision of positioning workpieces may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaws are pre-positioned in a fixed initial position when not in use. The elastic deflection only occurs during the clamping action when the jaws are spread apart to insert the workpiece. After clamping, the jaws return to their predetermined initial position, ensuring precise and repeatable workpiece positioning without requiring complex positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic material of the clamping jaws provides self-centering and self-positioning functionality. When the jaws are released, their elastic restoring force automatically returns them to the predetermined initial position, ensuring precise positioning without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the clear distance between top jaws is made adjustable, then the device becomes universal for different workpiece thicknesses, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic deflection of the clamping jaws serves as an intermediary mechanism between the spreading action and the workpiece clamping. Instead of requiring complex adjustable mechanisms to change the distance between top jaws, the elastic jaws naturally adjust their spacing through controlled deflection when spread apart, providing thickness adaptability with minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable clear distance is achieved dynamically through elastic deflection rather than through static mechanical adjustments. The jaws can be spread apart to increase the clear distance for thicker workpieces and return to their original position for thinner workpieces, providing continuous adjustability without adding complex mechanical adjustment devices.
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 device enables quick, easy, and secure clamping of workpieces with adjustable top jaws for different thicknesses, reducing manufacturing costs and ensuring precise positioning, making it suitable for medium-sized series production while being adaptable for small and large series as well.
Implementation Method 1
zwei material-elastisch auslenkbare Klemmschellen (4, 5) zum Festhalten von Werkstücken
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The tensioning device has a work piece carrier (2) for holding work pieces to be processed by a processing machine. The work piece carrier has a unit for fixing at a chuck and has a unit for fixing at an exact position at the chuck. The work piece carrier has two material-flexible movable chuck jaws (4,5) for holding work pieces. The work piece carrier has a main body (3) which is formed in one-piece and is formed of metal, particularly hardened and rust-resistant steel.