Hole Clamping Mechanism With Wedge Locking for Thin Workpieces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping apparatuses face difficulties in reliably clamping workpieces with small hole thickness due to insufficient engagement between the grip claw portion and the inner peripheral surface, leading to unstable clamping.
Innovation Solution
A clamping apparatus featuring a locking member with a base portion and a protruding portion that expands radially, allowing contact or a predetermined gap with the inner peripheral surface of the hole, and a relative movement restriction mechanism to prevent excessive downward movement of the clamp rod, ensuring secure clamping of workpieces with varying thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the grip claw portion is used to cling to the inner peripheral surface of the hole, then clamping is reliable for workpieces with large hole thickness, but engagement becomes insufficient for workpieces with small hole thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is divided into a base portion (inserted into the hole) and a protruding portion (extending radially outward). This segmentation allows the base portion to engage with the inner peripheral surface while the protruding portion provides additional engagement points, ensuring reliable clamping regardless of hole thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member engages the workpiece not only through radial expansion (one dimension) but also through axial positioning via the protruding portion facing the peripheral wall (another dimension). This multi-dimensional engagement ensures stability for both thin and thick workpieces.
2Ease of operation
If the clamp rod is allowed to move freely for unclamping, then operation speed is fast, but excessive downward movement cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The relative movement restriction mechanism acts as an intermediary between the clamp rod and locking member, allowing controlled movement in both directions. It restricts excessive downward movement during unclamping while permitting necessary motion for clamping and normal unclamping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the movement parameters of the clamp rod by imposing constraints on downward displacement while maintaining freedom for upward motion. This selective parameter control enables reliable operation without excessive movement.
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 apparatus effectively clamps workpieces of both small and large thicknesses by maintaining contact or creating a gap between the locking member and the hole surface, ensuring reliable engagement and positioning, thereby enhancing the clamping reliability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
A wedge surface 71 of a clamp rod 70 makes an engagement with the locking member 80 from the leading end side
Implementation Method 2
The locking member 80 is pushed by an advancing means 58 toward the leading end side with a predetermined force
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping apparatus includes: locking members (80) insertable into a hole (11) of a workpiece (10); and a clamp rod (70) configured to make a wedge engagement with the locking members (80) from above. Each locking member (80) includes a base portion (85) configured to be inserted into the hole (11); and a protruding portion (87) located above the base portion (85). A relative movement restriction mechanism (M) configured to restrict downward movement of the clamp rod (70) relative to the locking members (80) within a predetermined travel distance allows descent of outer peripheral surfaces (85a) of the base portions (85) relative to an inner peripheral surface of the hole (11) when the locking members (80) are in a diameter-expanded position.