Microtome Cutter Holder With Eccentric Clamping Force Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutter holders for microtomes require time-consuming screw adjustments for mounting and replacing the pressing plate, and lack efficient clamping force regulation, leading to inefficiencies and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A cutter holder design featuring a pivotably mounted pressing plate with an eccentric shaft and sliding assembly, allowing for easy mounting and replacement without screws, and clamping force regulation through eccentric shaft rotation, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple screws are used for mounting the pressing plate and regulating clamping force, then the cutter holder achieves stable clamping and reliable force regulation, but the mounting and replacement process becomes time-consuming and operationally complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the adjusting screw component from the traditional cutter holder design. Instead of using a separate adjusting screw to regulate clamping force, the pressing plate itself is designed with an asymmetric structure that integrates the force regulation function directly into the pressing plate geometry, eliminating the need for multiple screws and simplifying the mounting process
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing plate is divided into distinct functional zones: a clamping surface area for contacting the cutter, a pivot area for rotational movement, and an asymmetric profile section that provides mechanical advantage for force regulation. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently while enabling quick replacement of the entire pressing plate assembly
2Reliability
If multiple screws are used for mounting and adjusting the pressing plate, then the structure achieves stable clamping, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single pressing plate component: the clamping function, the pivoting mechanism, and the force regulation are all integrated into one asymmetrically designed pressing plate. This merging eliminates the need for separate adjusting screws and multiple mounting fasteners, making the device easier to operate while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing plate is designed to be pivotable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of the clamping force through rotational movement. The asymmetric profile enables the operator to easily pivot the plate between clamped and released positions, improving operational ease while maintaining reliable clamping when engaged
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional screw-based adjustment mechanisms are used, then precise clamping force regulation is achieved, but the productivity and working efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric profile of the pressing plate is pre-designed to provide optimal mechanical advantage at specific pivot positions. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that precise clamping force is achieved automatically through the pivotable mechanism, eliminating the need for time-consuming screw adjustments while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from rotational screw adjustment to angular pivot rotation. By varying the pivot angle of the pressing plate, the operator can quickly regulate clamping force precision without the time-consuming process of turning multiple screws, thereby improving cutter replacement efficiency
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
Facilitates quick and stable clamping and release of cutters with adjustable force, improving operational efficiency and reliability by eliminating the need for multiple screw adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
an eccentric shaft (30) rotatably mounted in the base (10); and a sliding assembly (40) slidably mounted in the base (10). The sliding assembly (40) is arranged between the pressing plate (20) and the eccentric shaft (30) and is in contact with the eccentric shaft (30), and the sliding assembly (40) is movable towards the pressing plate (20) when the eccentric shaft (30) rotates
Data Source
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AI summary
A cutter holder (100) for a microtome includes: a base (10); a pressing plate (20) pivotably mounted to the base and having a first end configured to clamp the cutter (90); an eccentric shaft (30) rotatably mounted in the base; and a sliding assembly (40) slidably mounted in the base. The sliding assembly is arranged between the pressing plate and the eccentric shaft and is in contact with the eccentric shaft, and the sliding assembly is movable towards the pressing plate when the eccentric shaft rotates, so as to force the first end of the pressing plate to clamp the cutter with the base. The cutter holder allows easy mounting and replacement of the pressing plate, facilitates clamping of the cutter and regulation of a clamping force, and has high working efficiency and high reliability.