Flexible Multi-Component Clamp for Variable-Size Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-component clamps often fail to adequately accommodate components of different sizes, leading to inadequate holding forces, excessive insertion or extraction forces, and potential damage during assembly, due to their design being specific to particular shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component clamp design featuring flexible holders with cantilevered receptacles and floating members that allow for flexibility to accommodate various sizes, combined with fixed holders to regulate forces within optimal ranges, ensuring appropriate insertion, extraction, and thrust forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If receptacles are designed with specific shapes and sizes for particular components, then holding force is optimized for those components, but adaptability to accommodate components of different sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacles are designed with flexible walls that can dynamically adjust their shape and size to accommodate different component dimensions. The flexible holder structure allows the receptacle to deform elastically, providing adaptive holding force for various component sizes while maintaining secure retention
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle geometry is changed by varying the flexibility parameter of its walls. By controlling the flexibility degree, the receptacle can adapt its shape and size parameters to match different component dimensions, optimizing holding force for each specific component while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If receptacles are made flexible to accommodate various sizes, then adaptability is improved, but insertion forces and extraction forces become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the holder structure have different flexibility characteristics. The receptacle walls are designed with localized flexibility zones that allow controlled deformation during insertion and extraction, reducing the forces required while maintaining adaptability for various component sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible holder structure dynamically adjusts its stiffness during the insertion and extraction processes. The flexibility allows the receptacle to deform easily during insertion and extraction, reducing the forces required, while maintaining adequate holding force during normal operation
3Strength
If receptacles are made rigid for strong holding force, then strength is improved, but damage to components or clamp structure occurs during insertion or removal of mismatched components
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible holder structure acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes insertion and extraction forces. This beforehand cushioning prevents force concentration that could damage components or the clamp structure, while maintaining strong holding force for properly fitted components
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 design allows for secure accommodation of components of different sizes with reduced insertion forces and appropriate thrust forces, preventing damage to both the components and the clamp, while maintaining secure retention.
Implementation Method 1
a floating member 118 which is flexibly coupled between the pair of lateral walls 104 and which supports a portion of the receptacle 112 between the first end 114 and the second end 116 of the receptacle 112. The floating member 118 is designed in a manner such that the floating member 118 can flex along its length
Implementation Method 2
Each flexible holder 110 has a receptacle 112 configured to receive or accommodate a component 202. The second end 116 of the receptacle 112 is kept free. The receptacle 112, formed in a substantially C-shape, has one end of the 'C' coupled to the body and the other end being able to flex to change the distance between the two ends of the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter relates to a multi-component clamp. The multi-component clamp includes a body, where the body includes lateral walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. The multi-component clamp has two or more flexible holders. The flexible holder includes a receptacle. The receptacle has two ends, a first end and a second end. The first end of the receptacle is attached to the body of the multi-component clamp. The second end of the receptacle is kept free for providing flexibility to accommodate components of various sizes.