Flexible Shaft Locking Clamp for Precise Axial Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing generic locking devices exhibit imprecise positioning in linear movement units, which limits their effectiveness in precise applications.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a flexible, one-piece clamping piece and a through hole that accommodates the axle with minimal play, utilizing a force amplification mechanism involving steel balls and a control ring to achieve precise clamping and release positions, while maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a locking device with separate clamping arms is used, then the structure is simpler to manufacture, but the positioning precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arms are integrated into a single clamping piece that is formed as one component with the through-bore, eliminating the need for separate clamping arm assemblies. This merging of parts achieves precise positioning through the flexible, integrally-formed structure while reducing the number of components that would complicate manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping piece is designed to be elastically flexible, allowing it to deform and conform to the axle surface for precise positioning. The flexibility enables the clamping piece to achieve firm friction-fit connection through minimal movement, providing high positioning precision without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a rigid clamping piece is used, then the structure is more stable, but the clamping force distribution is uneven causing surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping piece is made elastically flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to deform uniformly under clamping load. This flexibility ensures even distribution of clamping force across the contact surface with the axle, preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause surface damage while maintaining stable clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the clamping piece are selected to provide elastic flexibility, changing the mechanical parameter of rigidity to allow controlled deformation. This parameter change enables the clamping piece to adapt its shape under load, distributing force evenly across the contact surface while maintaining reliable clamping stability.
3Force
If a large movement distance is used for clamping arms, then the clamping force is sufficient, but the response time increases and precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible clamping piece achieves sufficient clamping force through elastic deformation rather than large mechanical movement. The material's elastic properties allow it to generate the necessary clamping force through minimal displacement, maintaining both high positioning precision and adequate clamping force simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
A piston is used to apply force to the clamping piece through fluid pressure. This pneumatic or hydraulic actuation provides sufficient clamping force through controlled pressure application, enabling the flexible clamping piece to achieve firm engagement with minimal movement distance and fast response time.
4Force
If multiple separate components are used for force transmission, then the force distribution is controlled, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple force transmission functions are merged into the integrally-formed clamping piece. The through-bore, clamping surfaces, and elastic deformation capabilities are all incorporated into a single component, eliminating the need for separate force transmission elements and reducing overall device volume while maintaining controlled 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
The solution enables precise positioning by ensuring even frictional contact on the axle surface, allowing for accurate locking and release operations, enhancing the device's precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
This force amplification is sufficient to allow a sufficiently large force from the return spring to act on the clamping piece to achieve the clamping position when the fluid is depressurized. The force multiplication effect of the actuating piston acting on the clamping arms of the clamping piece, which is mediated by the abutment ring, the control pin, the steel balls in the cage, and the control ring.
Implementation Method 2
a sufficiently large force from the return spring to act on the clamping piece to achieve the clamping position when the fluid is depressurized
Implementation Method 3
even the slightest movement of the clamping arms towards each other results in a firm, friction-fit connection to the surface of the axle, and this occurs after a short distance while protecting the surface due to the uniform and even application of the clamping forces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A locking device (10) for locking an axis (A) having a given axial direction and a given diameter, for example a fixedly arranged rod or a rotating shaft, comprising a housing (110, 111), a fluid connection (114) provided on one side thereof, an actuating piston (13) which can be actuated by applying fluid against the force of a return spring (12), and a clamping element (14) which interacts with the piston and is arranged in the housing on the other side and engages the axis, the two clamping arms (140, 141) of which are movable from a release position to a clamping position engaging the axis, is characterized in that the actuating piston interacts with the clamping element via an actuating member, and that the clamping element is flexible and is formed in one piece with a through-bore (142) which receives the axis with clearance in its release position.that the two clamping arms are separated by a gap (143) extending into the through-bore and that the clamping piece is designed to be bendable when the clamping arms move towards each other from the release position to the clamping position with a continuous reduction of the clearance until frictional contact with the surface of the shaft occurs while simultaneously reducing the gap.