Leveraged Spring Clamp With Adjustable Opening Force Curve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring clamps require increasing force to fully open the engagement end, making it difficult for users with lower physical strength to operate, due to the linear increase in compression force as per Hooke's Law.
Innovation Solution
A spring clamp with a leveraged mechanism featuring a pivot point, a spring pack with a central rod and adjustable perch, and angular reliefs that reduce the force required to open the engagement end by creating a non-linear relationship between handle end pressure and engagement end distance, allowing for a decreasing and increasing force curve as the clamp opens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a traditional spring clamp uses Hooke's Law for spring compression, then the clamping force increases linearly with compression distance, but the force required to fully open the clamp becomes excessively high for users with lower physical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clamp incorporates an adjustable perch that allows users to dynamically change the spring compression distance and force characteristics during operation. This enables the clamp to adapt between providing high clamping force when needed and reducing opening force when ease of operation is prioritized, resolving the contradiction between force magnitude and operational ease
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable perch mechanism changes the physical parameters of spring compression by allowing users to modify the compression distance and force vector. This parameter adjustment capability enables the system to operate at different points on the force-distance curve, balancing clamping force requirements against opening effort requirements
2Ease of operation
If the spring pack is positioned closer to the pivot point to reduce opening force, then the clamping force at the engagement end decreases, reducing the effectiveness of the clamp
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable perch allows dynamic repositioning of the spring force application point along the arm. Users can move the perch closer to the pivot to reduce opening force or farther away to increase clamping force, providing real-time adaptation to balance these two contradictory requirements based on operational needs
Solution Approach 2:
The spring pack is segmented into adjustable components (fixed perch, adjustable perch, central rod) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation enables fine-tuned adjustment of the spring force vector application point, allowing optimization of both opening effort and clamping force independently
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 leveraged mechanism reduces the effort needed to open the spring clamp further, providing a more accessible and user-friendly operation by distributing the force more efficiently throughout the rotational limits, with a significant reduction in friction and increased adjustability.
Implementation Method 1
the spring pack comprising at least one spring, wherein a critical distance, defined between the pivot point and a spring force vector of the spring pack and configured to exert at least one of: (i) a predetermined clamping force exerted between the engagement ends of the first arm and the second arm
Implementation Method 2
a bias element configured to bias the adjuster arm in a plurality of positions, the bias element comprising a cupped element rotatably fixed to the central rod in a fixed position axially, the cupped element comprising a cylindrical wall with an open end and an opposite end with a panel containing an axially located opening corresponding to the size of the central rod, a washer located about the central rod, between the cupped element and the second end of the central rod, and a bias element coil spring located about the central rod and between the cupped element and the washer
Data Source
AI summary
A spring clamp wherein a reduced effort is needed on the handle end as the engagement end is opened further. The spring clamp can include a clamping force adjustment means through the use of a spring pack, central rod and a folding adjuster. The spring clamp can also include low friction mounts at the ends of a spring pack to reduce user effort on the handle end.