Floating Clamping Device for Center Offset Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamping devices for machining workpieces with face gearing, such as plano-notch or Hirth gearing, face challenges with center offset compensation, high production costs, limited center offset bridging, lack of axial pull effect, and reduced clamping force at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device with a radial clamping mechanism that includes a stop element and a radial clamping device surrounded by a clamping bush, allowing radial movement and compensation for center offsets, featuring a floating mounting system and a sealing element to prevent contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If angled chucks are used to compensate for center misalignment, then center offset compensation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter offset compensationVSAvoidchuck structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chuck is divided into separate functional components: a standard collet for clamping and a独立的 stop element for center offset compensation. The stop element can be adjusted independently without affecting the collet's clamping function, allowing center misalignment compensation while maintaining a simple standard collet structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A stop element is introduced as an intermediary component between the workpiece and the chuck body. This stop element provides the necessary center offset compensation function without requiring the entire chuck structure to be complex, thereby separating the compensation function from the clamping function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If jaw chucks with floating jaws are used, then center offset compensation is improved, but clamping force is reduced at high speeds due to jaw expansion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter offset compensationVSAvoidclamping force at high speeds
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function is separated from the center offset compensation function. The collet maintains rigid clamping without floating jaws, while the stop element independently handles center misalignment compensation. This prevents the jaw expansion problem while maintaining high-speed clamping force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If standard collets are used, then device complexity is reduced, but center offset compensation capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechuck structure simplicityVSAvoidcenter offset compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges a standard collet with a simple stop element into a unified chuck assembly. The standard collet provides simple, reliable clamping while the stop element adds center offset compensation capability. Together they achieve both simplicity and precision without requiring a completely complex redesigned chuck.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If angled chucks are used, then center misalignment is compensated, but adaptability to different workpiece sizes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter offset compensationVSAvoidcompatibility with different workpiece sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the center offset compensation function into an independent stop element, the clamping portion can remain a universal standard collet that accommodates various workpiece sizes. The stop element's position can be adjusted to compensate for center misalignment regardless of the workpiece diameter, maintaining versatility across different sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3546097A1Clamping device for fixing a clamping part
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 NEUMAYER TEKFOR ENG GMBH
  • EP3546097A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3546097A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3546097A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a clamping device (1) for fixing a clamping element (100). A stop element (2) and a radial clamping device (36) form an interior space (4) for partially receiving the clamping element (100). In a clamped state, the radial clamping device (36) exerts a radial clamping force on the clamping element (100). A radial distance (13) is provided between the radial clamping device (36) and a clamping sleeve (9) radially surrounding it, and the clamping sleeve (9) and the radial clamping device (36) are radially movable relative to each other such that the radial clamping device (36) is floatingly mounted in the clamping sleeve (9).