Lateral Sample Clamping Jig for Pulsating Water Jet Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamping methods for samples subjected to pulsating water jets are inefficient in terms of clamping time, are affected by accumulated liquid layers, and do not allow for easy replacement of damaged clamping surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A clamping jig that secures samples from their lateral sides using height-adjustable stop rails, T-slots, and T-nuts, allowing for efficient clamping without obstructing the sample surface and enabling easy replacement of damaged components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional clamping methods (T-slots with milled surfaces and clamps) are used to secure samples, then the sample can be held firmly, but the clamping time is excessive and the top surface of the sample cannot be fully utilized for disintegration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping time efficiencyVSAvoidsample surface accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping system is divided into separate functional components: stop rails for positioning, T-slots for clamp attachment, and clamps for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates quick assembly and disassembly, dramatically reducing clamping time while maintaining firm sample holding and full surface accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of clamping the sample from the top surface (which blocks access), the invention inverts the approach by clamping from the lateral sides using stop rails and clamps that secure the sample edges, leaving the entire top surface completely accessible for disintegration work

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If clamps and screws protrude above the sample surface to ensure secure clamping, then the sample is held firmly, but the robot head may collide with the jig-sample system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping securityVSAvoidcollision risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping components (stop rails, clamps, and screw heads) are designed with specific height limitations to ensure they do not protrude above the sample surface. This local dimensional control maintains adequate clamping security while eliminating the collision risk with the robot head during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The jig design proactively prevents potential collisions by setting maximum height limits on all clamping components before operation begins. This preliminary design constraint eliminates the need for dynamic adjustments or safety interventions during robot operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If the clamping surface is damaged during pulsating water jet disintegration, then the jig cannot be used further, but replacing the entire jig is time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejig durabilityVSAvoidclamping surface replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping surface is segmented into replaceable components (stop rails and clamps) that can be independently removed and replaced. This allows damaged parts to be swapped out quickly without replacing the entire jig, maintaining reliability while enabling easy repair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows damaged clamping components to be discarded and replaced with new or refurbished parts. The modular structure enables selective replacement of only the affected components, reducing repair time and cost compared to replacing the entire jig assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Reliability

If clamps are positioned to secure the sample firmly, then the sample does not move, but liquid accumulates under the clamp and affects disintegration results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample position stabilityVSAvoidliquid accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of liquid accumulation is eliminated by extracting the clamp from the sample top surface and relocating it to the lateral sides. This positional change allows liquid to drain freely from the entire sample surface including areas previously blocked by clamps, while maintaining firm sample securing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping approach is inverted from top-down to lateral clamping, which inadvertently solves the liquid accumulation problem by allowing unobstructed drainage paths across the entire sample surface while maintaining position stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4184144B1Jig for clamping samples disintegrating by pulsating water jet

Publication Date: 2025.05.28 TECHNICKA UNIVERZITA V KOSICIACH

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AI summary

A jig for clamping samples disintegrating by pulsating water jet serves to accelerate, enhance, and enable a wider range of experiments by clamping the samples from their sides. The invention comprises a clamping plate (1), flanges (2), stop rails (3), bolts (4), a clamp (5), a T-nut (6), a locking screw (7), and clamping screws (8).