Elastic Linkage Clamp for Fast Clamping and Even Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices either provide quick assembly but with insufficient clamping force or strong clamping force but at the cost of slow assembly and uneven force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device comprising a first and second clamping member, connected by pivotally disposed connecting rods and an elastic member, allowing for quick assembly and adjustable clamping force through the elastic member's restoring force, with connecting rods on both sides for even force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If elastic pieces are used for attachment, then quick clamping can be implemented, but the clamping force is relatively small and the clamping force is relatively uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp body is divided into first and second clamping members connected by connecting rods, allowing the elastic member's force to be distributed through multiple connection points. This segmentation enables quick clamping action while distributing the clamping force more evenly across the workpiece, resolving the contradiction between speed and force uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point elastic attachment to a distributed multi-point connection system using connecting rods that span between clamping members. This dimensional expansion of the force application system allows the elastic member to provide sufficient total force while distributing it evenly through multiple contact points, achieving both quick action and uniform force distribution.
2Force
If screws are used for attachment, then the clamping force is relatively great and the object can be tightly clamped, but clamping and disassembling cannot be completed quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the threaded mechanical system (screws) with an elastic mechanical system (elastic member connected through connecting rods). This substitution maintains the ability to generate sufficient clamping force through the elastic restoration of the member while enabling quick clamping and release by simply deforming and releasing the elastic element, eliminating the time-consuming screw operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elasticity to the clamping system, allowing the elastic member to be quickly deformed for clamping release and to naturally restore for clamping action. This dynamic characteristic enables rapid repeated operations compared to static screw connections, achieving both strong force and high productivity through the elastic member's inherent ability to store and release mechanical energy.
3Force
If four screws are used for attachment, then the clamping force can be evenly spread, but the device complexity increases and assembly becomes troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple screw connection functions into a single elastic member that naturally distributes force through its elastic deformation and the connecting rod mechanism. Instead of requiring four separate screws to achieve even force distribution, the elastic member inherently provides this function through its structural design, reducing part count and assembly complexity while maintaining uniform force distribution.
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 quick and secure clamping with adjustable force, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly, and ensuring even force application on the object.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member (40), one end of which is connected to the third side (21), and the other end is connected to the first connecting rod (30), is provided to make the first connecting rod (30) rotate relative to the second clamping member (20), so as to drive the second connecting rod (31) and the first clamping member (10) to rotate
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamping device (100) includes a first clamping member (10), a second clamping member (20), a first connecting rod (30), a second connecting rod (31), and an elastic member (40). The first clamping member (10) includes a first side (11) and a second side (12) opposite to each other. The second clamping member (20) includes a third side (21) and a fourth side (22) opposite to each other. The first connecting rod (30) is pivotally disposed between the first side (11) and the third side (21). The second connecting rod (31) is pivotally disposed between the second side (12) and the fourth side (22). The elastic member (40) is connected between the third side (21) and the first connecting rod (30). The elastic member (40) provides a restoring force to make the first connecting rod (30) rotate relative to the second clamping member (20), to drive the second connecting rod (31) and the first clamping member (10) to rotate, so that a distance between the first clamping member (10) and the second clamping member (20) is shortened to clamp an object (90).