Self-Locking Fluidic Clamp Sleeve for Precision Heavy-Load Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices in precision hydraulics and pneumatics face challenges such as low precision, high maintenance requirements, and increased complexity and weight due to conical or wedge-shaped elements, and hydraulic collets that require constant pressure to maintain clamping, making them unsuitable for space-constrained applications and heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A self-locking fluidic clamping device with a sleeve having a central element and chambers that change shape in response to fluid pressure, allowing for high-precision clamping without constant fluidic pressure, featuring a monolithic structure with no moving parts to reduce wear and maintain secure holding of heavy loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conical or wedge-shaped elements are used for clamping, then strong holding force and self-locking clamping are achieved, but clamping precision deteriorates due to load displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into a central element with multiple independent clamping zones around its circumference. Each zone can apply clamping force independently, allowing the load to be distributed across multiple contact points rather than displaced by a single conical element, thus maintaining both holding force and precision
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a conical element that pushes the load outward, the invention uses a central element that pulls the load inward through radial clamping forces. This inversion of the clamping mechanism eliminates load displacement while maintaining strong holding force and self-locking capability
2Force
If conical or wedge-shaped elements with additional components are used, then self-locking clamping is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the clamping element, fluidic chambers, and structural support into a single integrated central element. The clamping zones are formed directly on the central element's circumference, eliminating the need for separate clamping components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining self-locking functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The central element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, contains the fluidic chambers, and creates the clamping zones around its circumference. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the device while achieving self-locking clamping
3Manufacturing precision
If hydraulic pressure is continuously applied to clamping sleeves, then high clamping precision is maintained, but energy consumption increases and safety risks arise from constant pressure requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping force is established in advance when the fluidic pressure is applied, creating pre-tension in the clamping zones. Once clamped, the self-locking mechanism maintains the precision holding without requiring continuous pressure application, reducing energy consumption and eliminating safety risks from constant pressurization
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device uses its own structural geometry and fluidic pressure application to achieve self-locking. The central element's design allows it to maintain clamping precision through its own configuration rather than requiring external continuous energy input, making the system self-sufficient after initial actuation
4Force
If clamping devices are designed for heavy load safety, then load holding capability is improved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The central element features localized clamping zones distributed around its circumference rather than requiring a uniformly heavy structure. Each clamping zone is optimized for its specific function, allowing the device to handle heavy loads through concentrated radial forces rather than overall weight increase, achieving high load capacity with minimal mass
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 device achieves high-precision clamping with low weight and compact size, ensuring secure holding of heavy loads without constant fluid pressure, reducing maintenance needs and operational complexity, while maintaining safety in case of energy supply failures.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one chamber is configured to receive a fluid, and wherein the fluidic clamping device is configured to apply a first or second predetermined fluidic pressure to an interior of the at least one chamber
Implementation Method 2
the central element is configured, in a first state in which the interior of the at least one chamber is subjected to the first fluidic pressure, to be in force-locking contact with the movable part
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention provides a fluidic clamping device (100) with a sleeve (110) for clamping and holding a movable part (200). The sleeve (110) comprises a central element (111) with a cross-section in a longitudinal direction of the central element (111) that includes a cavity configured to receive the movable part (200). The fluidic clamping device (100) is characterized in that the sleeve (110) further comprises at least one chamber (112) arranged on an outer circumference of the central element (111) and extending along the longitudinal direction of the central element (111), wherein the at least one chamber (112) is configured to receive a fluid, and wherein the fluidic clamping device (100) is configured to apply a first or second predetermined fluidic pressure to an interior space of the at least one chamber (112), the first predetermined pressure being...fluidic pressure is lower than the second predetermined fluidic pressure, and wherein the central element (111) is configured, in a first state in which the interior of the at least one chamber (112) is subjected to the first fluidic pressure, to be in force-locking contact with the movable part (200) at at least one region of an inner circumference of the central element (111) and to clamp and hold the movable part (200), and wherein the central element (111) is configured, in a second state in which the interior of the at least one chamber (112) is subjected to the second fluidic pressure, to be in force-locking contact with the movable part (200) at no region of the inner circumference of the central element (111).