Low-Profile Clamp Structure for Collision-Free 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps used in large format 3D printing are too bulky and protrude excessively, causing interference and potential damage to the 3D printing machinery, especially when the massive and fast-moving tool heads collide with them.
Innovation Solution
A compact clamping device with a rigid frame and a limited-displacement contacting component, such as a spring plunger or a rotatable cylinder, that applies a strong clamping force without the need for handles or protruding features, allowing for secure attachment of a build surface to a build plate without obstructing the movement of the 3D printing machinery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional clamps with handles and knobs are used to provide adequate mechanical advantage and ease of operation, then the clamping force can be applied effectively, but the device occupies too much space and protrudes beyond the build surface, causing interference with 3D printing machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the handle and knob components from traditional clamps, extracting only the essential clamping function. The clamp body is reduced to a minimal profile with no protruding parts, eliminating the space-consuming elements while maintaining the core clamping capability through a cam mechanism that operates without manual handles.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing a large handle for the user to grip and apply force, the invention inverts the approach by using a small cam mechanism that can be actuated by minimal space. The cam's rotational motion is converted into linear clamping force, reversing the traditional design where manual leverage was provided through large handles.
2Force
If conventional clamps with large handles are used to overcome spring force and open jaws, then adequate clamping force can be applied, but the handles create interference and potential collision damage with fast-moving tool heads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the handle component entirely from the clamp design. Without protruding handles, there is no possibility of handle collision with tool heads. The clamping force is generated through an internal cam mechanism that converts minimal actuation space into significant clamping force, eliminating the harmful collision risk while maintaining adequate clamping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional approach of using large handles to generate clamping force. Instead, a small cam mechanism is used where rotational motion is converted into linear clamping force through mechanical advantage, achieving high clamping force without the space-consuming handles that cause collision risks.
3Ease of operation
If toggle clamps with articulating linkages are used to achieve clamping action, then the jaws can move from open to closed position, but the linkages create give or springiness in the clamping force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the articulating linkage mechanism with a cam mechanism. The cam's rotational motion directly translates to linear jaw movement without the intermediate joints and links that cause flexibility. This substitution eliminates the 'give' or springiness in the clamping force by using a rigid cam profile that provides precise, stable clamping pressure.
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 compact clamping device effectively secures the build surface to the build plate without interfering with the 3D printing machinery, ensuring precise positioning and preventing damage from collisions, while maintaining a strong and consistent clamping force.
Implementation Method 1
a limited-displacement contacting component, such as a spring plunger
Implementation Method 2
a rotatable cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping device is disclosed having a rigid frame and a concavity for accepting items to be clamped together, a clamping action upon items entering into the concavity being facilitated by a contacting member in conjunction with a force-maintaining member and a displacement-limiting element to readily accommodate a range of clamped item dimensions without requiring separate opening or tightening adjustments to be performed by a user while applying the clamping device.