Machining Unit Pivoting Clamping Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processing machines with two clamping areas along the pivot axis require complex operation and can lead to inaccuracies due to the need for separate tensioning and the risk of incomplete clamping, reducing ease of use and working accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device with a common actuating device for both clamping areas, allowing simultaneous tension release and restoration, ensuring accurate and stable pivoting angle adjustment through a transmission device that connects the clamping areas, enabling one-sided actuation and balanced clamping forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If two independent clamping areas are provided along the pivot axis, then the stability of the machine is improved, but the operating effort and complexity increase due to separate tensioning of each clamping area

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidoperating effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two independent clamping areas into a single integrated clamping device with a common actuating mechanism. The actuating device simultaneously tensions both clamping areas through a shared transmission system, merging what were previously separate operations into one unified action. This reduces operating effort while maintaining the stability benefits of dual clamping points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating device is designed with multi-functionality to simultaneously control both clamping areas. A single actuating mechanism performs the function of what would otherwise require two separate actuators, allowing the user to tension and release both clamping areas with one operation. This universal actuating system maintains simplicity while achieving the stability of dual clamping zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If two independent clamping areas are used, then the stability is improved, but the adjustment accuracy deteriorates due to potential misalignment when clamping at different pivoting positions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidadjustment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the control of both clamping areas into a single actuating device with synchronized transmission, the patent ensures that both clamping points are engaged at the exact same pivoting position. This eliminates the accuracy problems associated with independent clamping areas, as the unified mechanism guarantees simultaneous engagement and maintains precise angular alignment throughout the adjustment range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated transmission system provides inherent feedback synchronization between the two clamping areas. As the actuating device operates, the transmission mechanism ensures both clamping points respond simultaneously and equally, providing automatic feedback that prevents misalignment. This ensures that clamping forces are applied at identical pivoting positions, maintaining high adjustment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If separate clamping areas are operated independently, then the device complexity remains manageable, but the reliability deteriorates due to the risk of incomplete clamping on one side

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidclamping reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the actuation control of both clamping areas into a single integrated system. This ensures that when the user operates the clamping device, both clamping areas are engaged simultaneously and equally, eliminating the reliability risk of forgetting to clamp one side. The unified mechanism makes incomplete clamping impossible while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through shared components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated clamping device with common actuation provides a self-service mechanism that automatically ensures both clamping areas are properly engaged. The synchronized transmission system self-regulates to apply equal clamping forces at both points, eliminating human error and the need for separate verification steps. This self-correcting mechanism significantly improves reliability without adding complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2075079B1Machining unit
Publication Date: 2014.01.08 MAFELL AG
  • EP2075079B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2075079B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The machine has an operation unit (13) pivotable relative to a base unit (11). A clamping unit is provided for fixing the operation unit to the base unit for continuous adjustment of a pivoting angle. The operation unit and the base unit are prestressed with each other at clamping regions (15, 17). The clamping regions are placed at a distance along a pivoting axis (19). The clamping unit has a common actuating unit (21) for the clamping regions. The actuating unit produces a clamping force (26) in the clamping regions for pretensioning the base unit and operation unit.