Link Clamp Housing Rotation Without Vertical Arm Shift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional link-type clamping devices experience vertical displacement of the clamp arm when changing the clamping position, leading to inaccuracies in setting the desired turning angle and disrupting the preadjusted horizontal state during clamping and release operations.

Innovation Solution

The link-type clamping device design allows the housing to turn about its axis while maintaining a constant position, using a receiving member and retaining ring to ensure the clamp arm remains vertically stable and accurately positioned, with optional features like wedge members and clearance recesses for enhanced stability and assemblability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the supported member turns with respect to the support part by fitting male screw region and female screw region, then the clamping position can be changed to a desired turning angle position, but the clamp arm becomes slightly displaced in the vertical direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of clamping positionVSAvoidvertical position accuracy of clamp arm
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support part as an intermediary component between the housing and the supported member. The support part includes a receiving means that receives the upward force from the link member, and the male screw region is formed on the support part rather than directly on the housing. This intermediary structure allows the supported member to turn relative to the support part while the support part maintains the vertical position stability, thereby eliminating the vertical displacement of the clamp arm during angle adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the supported member is turned to change clamping position, then the desired turning angle position can be achieved, but the preadjusted horizontal state of the clamp arm is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of turning angleVSAvoidhorizontal state stability of clamp arm
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support part serves as a mediator that decouples the turning motion from the horizontal state stability. The receiving means on the support part ensures that the upward force is properly transmitted during clamping operations, while the supported member can rotate relative to the support part without affecting the horizontal alignment. This allows the clamp arm to maintain its preadjusted horizontal state even when the turning angle is changed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the supported member turns about its axis, then the clamping position can be adjusted, but the supported member becomes slightly displaced in the vertical direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of clamping positionVSAvoidvertical position precision of supported member
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support part acts as an intermediary that provides a stable reference frame for the turning motion. By forming the male screw region on the support part and providing a receiving means for the upward force, the support part ensures that the supported member can rotate about its axis to adjust the clamping position without experiencing vertical displacement. The support part absorbs and compensates for any vertical movement, maintaining the vertical position precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3741504B1Link type clamp device
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 KOSMEK LTD (JP)
  • EP3741504B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3741504B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3741504B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A clamping device (2) includes: a turning-supporting member (26) formed so as to support a housing (3) which turns when a clamping position is set, the housing (3) turning toward a desired turning angle position about an axis of the housing (3) while maintaining the axis at a constant position; and a bolt (46) which fixes the housing (3) to the turning-supporting member (26) at the desired turning angle position.