Lever Locking Device for Machining Depth Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processing machines face challenges with cumbersome and inaccurate clamping mechanisms, leading to increased wear, component damage, and unwanted changes in machining depth due to the complexity of operating clamping screws.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a clamping unit, lever, and actuating element that allows for easy and reliable fixation of the machine unit to a guide element, enabling precise adjustment of processing depth without the need for tools, using a button or switch for actuation and a spring device for automatic fixing, ensuring a uniform clamping effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamping screw is used for locking the machine unit to the guide element, then the machining depth can be fixed, but the operation becomes cumbersome and requires a tool and change in grip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional screw-based mechanical locking system with a lever-based mechanical advantage system. The lever (57) pivots about an axis and uses a control projection (67) that engages with an inclined control surface (65) on the clamping unit (37), converting rotational lever movement into linear clamping force without requiring screws or tool intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lever (57) as an intermediary element between the user's manual operation and the clamping unit (37). The lever provides mechanical advantage through its pivot axis and control projection, mediating the force application to achieve reliable clamping while maintaining ease of operation through simple lever manipulation rather than screw threading.
2Reliability
If a clamping screw is used for locking, then the machining depth can be fixed, but it is difficult to accurately control the holding force leading to increased wear or component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the clamping mechanism by replacing rotational screw motion with lever-based rotational-to-linear motion conversion. The inclined control surface (65) and control projection (67) system provides a controlled mechanical advantage ratio that limits maximum clamping force, preventing overtightening while maintaining sufficient holding force for reliable locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the screw thread mechanism with a lever-and-inclined-plane system. This replacement eliminates the self-locking characteristic of threaded screws that can lead to overtightening, while the controlled geometry of the control surface (65) and control projection (67) provides inherent force limitation, reducing wear and damage risk to the guide element (19).
3Reliability
If a clamping screw is used for locking, then the machining depth can be fixed, but undertightening can cause unintended changes in the machining depth during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the force application parameters by using a lever system with mechanical advantage rather than direct screw application. The control projection (67) sliding on the inclined control surface (65) creates a force multiplication effect that ensures sufficient clamping force is applied, preventing undertightening while the controlled geometry prevents excessive force application.
4Ease of operation
If a lever with mechanical advantage is used instead of a clamping screw, then the ease of operation is improved and tools are not required, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lever (57) serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical advantage for easy operation, acts as a force amplifier through its pivot axis, and its control projection (67) engages with the control surface (65) to convert rotational motion into linear clamping force. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the actuating mechanism and the clamping mechanism into a single integrated lever system. The lever (57) itself performs both the actuating function (through user manipulation) and the clamping function (through its interaction with the control surface 65), eliminating the need for separate actuators, screws, and associated hardware, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite the improved operation convenience.
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 solution provides a user-friendly, ergonomic, and precise method for adjusting machining depth, reducing wear and component damage by ensuring consistent clamping force, allowing continuous operation without grip changes and minimizing the risk of depth adjustments during processing.
Implementation Method 1
the lever is biased towards the locking position by at least one spring mechanism
Implementation Method 2
The lever can also provide a leverage ratio that amplifies the force applied by the user to the actuating element
Data Source
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AI summary
A machining tool comprises a machine unit and a workpiece, which is coupled to the machine unit via a guide element such that the machine unit is movable relative to the workpiece under guidance by the guide element. To define a machining depth, the machine unit can be fixed relative to the guide element by means of a locking device. The locking device comprises a clamping unit through which the guide element passes, a lever that is pivotable about a pivot axis between a locking position and a release position, wherein in the locking position the lever closes the clamping unit, clamping the guide element, and in the release position releases the clamping unit for opening, and an actuating element arranged on the machine unit, by actuating the lever pivots the lever between the locking position and the release position.