Explosion Damper for Clamping Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping and spreading tools can release stored tension explosively, posing a risk of injury and damage to the workpiece due to the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy without controlled dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that allows controlled absorption displacement of the push or pull rod along a predetermined path, using a locking system with a compression spring and wedging plate to dissipate clamping forces through friction, preventing further displacement and maintaining contact with the workpiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the push or pull rod is allowed to move freely in opening direction upon release, then the stored tensional energy can be discharged quickly, but the push or pull rod becomes a projectile that may damage the workpiece and injure the operator
Solution Approach 1:
A damper is integrated into the support structure to provide predetermined controlled absorption displacement of the push or pull rod in opening direction. The damper absorbs the shock-like movement by allowing limited displacement (a few millimeters) while dissipating energy through friction, preventing the rod from becoming a projectile while maintaining quick release capability
Solution Approach 2:
The damper acts as an intermediary element between the push or pull rod and the support. It mediates the release process by providing controlled resistance through friction, allowing the rod to move a limited distance while dissipating the stored tensional energy safely without the rod becoming a dangerous projectile
2Ease of operation
If the friction profile of the push rod within the support is kept low for easy displacement, then the push rod can be adjusted easily during operation, but the release of tensional forces causes the push rod to glide through the support without deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with differentiated friction characteristics: low friction zones that allow easy displacement and adjustment of the push or pull rod during normal operation, and a localized high friction zone within the damper that provides controlled resistance during release. This local quality differentiation enables both easy adjustment and safe energy dissipation
3Reliability
If a lock mechanism is used to maintain clamping forces, then the clamping forces can be held stable, but the release of the lock causes explosive propagation of the movable jaw
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is pre-installed in the support structure to cushion the release process. When the lock is released, the damper immediately engages to provide controlled absorption displacement, preventing the explosive propagation of the movable jaw while allowing the clamping forces to be maintained during normal operation
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 mechanism ensures safe release of stored forces by limiting the displacement to a few millimeters, dissipating energy through friction, thereby preventing the push or pull rod from becoming a projectile and maintaining contact with the workpiece, ensuring controlled dissipation of clamping forces.
Implementation Method 1
dissipating energy through friction, thereby preventing the push or pull rod from becoming a projectile
Implementation Method 2
a lock which blocks displacement of the push or pull rod in opening direction opposite to the clamping or spreading direction so as to uphold the clamping and/or spreading forces generated between the jaws
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping and/or spreading tool comprising a push or pull rod to which a mobile jaw is fixed, a fixed jaw, a gear mechanism which can be used to move the mobile jaw towards or away from the fixed jaw by moving the push or pull rod in a clamping or spreading direction, and to apply clamping and/or bracing forces between the jaws, and a lock used to block movement of the push or pull rod in an opening direction opposing the clamping or spreading direction, in order to maintain clamping and/or spreading forces produced between the jaws. A mechanism for dissipating the stored clamping and/or spreading forces enables an absorption movement of the push or pull rod in the opening direction along a pre-determined absorption course, and especially detachably blocks an absorption movement of the push or pull rod over the predetermined absorption course, in the opening direction.