Gripping Device Wedge Hook Extension Reduces Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping or gripping devices face challenges in reducing surface pressure between wedge hooks and main jaws while maintaining a constant installation space, requiring a compact design without increasing the overall height or piston stroke.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a wedge hook with an extension portion that extends in the guide-axis direction, allowing for a reduced overall height and surface pressure by modifying the guide surfaces and their engagement with the main jaw, while maintaining constant installation space and piston stroke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the overall vertical extent of the wedge hook is reduced, then the overall height of the gripping device is reduced, but the guide surfaces are reduced in area
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surfaces are extended in the guide-axis direction (vertical dimension) by forming an extension portion on the wedge hook, rather than extending them in the clamping direction. This dimensional reorientation allows the guide surface area to be maintained or increased while the overall height of the gripping device is reduced by optimizing the vertical extent distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portion of the wedge hook is received within a recess in the main housing, allowing the wedge hook to extend vertically beyond the web portion while fitting within the overall housing boundaries. This nesting arrangement enables increased guide surface area without proportionally increasing the overall device height.
2Stress or pressure
If the guide surfaces are extended to reduce surface pressure, then the contact surface between main jaw and wedge hook increases, but the installation space height increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending guide surfaces in the clamping direction (which would increase installation space height), the extension portion extends in the guide-axis direction, orienting the additional guide surface area vertically within the existing installation space envelope. This reduces surface pressure while maintaining constant installation space height.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portion is formed only in the region where it is needed to increase guide surface area, rather than uniformly increasing all dimensions of the wedge hook. This localized modification increases contact surface to reduce pressure without proportionally increasing overall installation space requirements.
3Length of stationary object
If the vertical extent of the hook is made greater than the web portion, then the extension portion is formed to reduce overall height, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The extension portion is formed as an integral part of the wedge hook, merging the hook and extension portion into a single monolithic component. This eliminates the need for separate parts, joints, or assembly steps, thereby reducing structural complexity despite the modified geometry. The unified structure maintains strength while achieving reduced overall height.
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
This configuration enables a reduced overall height of the gripping device and decreased surface pressure between the main jaw and wedge hook, achieving a more compact design without compromising the travel path of the main jaw or increasing the installation space.
Implementation Method 1
the hook having guide surfaces that extend obliquely with respect to the clamping direction and to the guide axis... such that a movement of the wedge hook along the guide axis results in a movement of the main jaw in the clamping direction
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an automation component or clamping device including a basic housing, at least one jaw movably guided in a jaw guide of the basic housing, and a piston movably guided in the basic housing, wherein the piston has a piston surface, wherein the piston is coupled in terms of movement to the jaw, and wherein a piston rod extending on the piston transversely with respect to the piston surface, wherein the centroid of the piston surface is spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis of the piston rod (22).