Interleaving Jaw Chuck Structure for Off-Center Shaft Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inserting and clamping a shaft, such as a wire or drill bit, into a 3-jaw chuck can be difficult, particularly when the chuck is used to selectively clamp and release the shaft, as low-end diameters may be unintentionally inserted off-center or at an angle to the axis of rotation.
Innovation Solution
A chuck design featuring a jaw guide with interleaving jaws and an engagement sleeve, where the jaws have protrusions and cavities that allow for easy alignment and clamping, facilitated by an inclined engagement surface that displaces the clamping surfaces toward the axis when the engagement sleeve is displaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional 3-jaw chuck is used to clamp shafts, then the chuck can hold the shaft, but the shaft may be unintentionally inserted off-center or at an angle to the axis of rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw guide pre-aligns the shaft with the axis of rotation before the jaws engage. The guide surface of each jaw provides a preliminary centering action that ensures the shaft is properly positioned before clamping force is applied, preventing off-center insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw guide acts as an intermediary component between the shaft and the jaws. It mediates the insertion process by providing guide surfaces that direct and center the shaft, ensuring accurate alignment before the clamping action occurs
2Adaptability or versatility
If the chuck jaws are designed to clamp shafts of varying diameters, then the chuck can accommodate different shaft sizes, but small-diameter shafts may be pinched or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
Each jaw has a guide surface with specific geometric properties (angle and position) that are optimized for centering shafts. The local geometry of the guide surface ensures that even small-diameter shafts are gently guided and centered without being pinched or damaged during insertion
3Reliability
If the chuck uses a selective clamp and release mechanism, then the chuck can hold different shafts securely, but the operation becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw guide enables the shaft to self-center during insertion. The guide surfaces automatically align the shaft with the axis of rotation without requiring additional adjustment operations, reducing both complexity and time while maintaining secure clamping
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
Enables quick and precise centering and clamping of shafts within a wide diameter range, from small to large, by ensuring the shaft is aligned and securely held without pinching, improving the efficiency of surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an inclined engagement surface that displaces the clamping surfaces toward the axis when the engagement sleeve is displaced
Data Source
AI summary
A chuck (10) includes a jaw guide (64), interleaving jaws (66), and an inclined engagement surface (84). The jaw guide defines a longitudinal axis (24) and includes jaw channels (65) circumferentially distributed about the axis. The jaws are slidably disposed in the jaw channels Each jaw has a clamping surface (88) facing the axis and a driving surface (90) substantially opposite the clamping surface and a protrusion (92) on a first lateral side and a cavity (96) on a second lateral side. The protrusion of each jaw is disposed at least in part in the cavity of an adjacent jaw. The engagement surface is on one of an inner surface of the jaw guide and an engagement sleeve (80), and is substantially centered about the axis and substantially parallel to the driving surface. Displacement of the jaws relative to the engagement surface in a clamping direction displaces the clamping surfaces toward the axis.