Modular Workpiece Clamping with Radial Locking and Low Contact Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece locking devices require skilled labor, are costly, and use non-commercially available components, leading to inefficiencies in clamping and positioning accuracy due to high local pressure and risk of damage to the workpiece.
Innovation Solution
A modular device with a main body, pin, and ring nut system using commercially available fixing means and prismatic jaws for radial locking, providing a wider contact area and uniform clamping force, along with sealing gaskets to prevent loosening from machining vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spherical locking members are used to lock the pin, then the locking device can be operated quickly, but the contact area is reduced and local pressure increases, risking damage to the workpiece
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a spherical locking member that rolls within a groove of the pin, converting the locking mechanism from direct point contact to rolling contact. The spherical shape allows quick locking/unlocking through rotation while the groove geometry distributes the contact pressure along the curved surface rather than at a single point, reducing local pressure on the workpiece.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a radial dimension for the locking action by using a spherical member that moves radially within the pin's groove. This radial movement within the groove creates a line contact or distributed area contact instead of point contact, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the contact zone that reduces local pressure while maintaining quick operation.
2Reliability
If special-shaped tie rods and fixing means are used, then the locking effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases and commercial availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs standard cylindrical tie rods and conventional fixing means that are commercially available and can be used for multiple purposes. The spherical locking member works with a simple groove geometry on the pin, creating a universal locking mechanism that doesn't require specially shaped components. This standardization maintains locking effectiveness while improving device simplicity and commercial availability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the tie rods and fixing means specially shaped to achieve locking, the patent inverts the approach by using standard cylindrical components and placing the complexity in the locking mechanism itself (spherical member in groove). This reversal simplifies the majority of components while maintaining locking effectiveness through the clever design of the spherical-groove interaction.
3Device complexity
If conventional locking members with point contact are used, then the device structure is simplified, but the clamping force requirement increases to achieve the same locking effect
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical locking member rolling in the groove creates a distributed contact area along the curved surfaces of the sphere and groove. This curvature-based contact distributes the clamping force across multiple points rather than concentrating it at a single point, reducing the total clamping force required to achieve effective locking while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling motion of the spherical locking member within the groove creates a mechanical advantage through the conversion of rotational motion to radial locking force. As the sphere rolls, it generates a wedging action that multiplies the locking force, reducing the clamping force requirement compared to direct point contact mechanisms.
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 device achieves high clamping force and accurate positioning with reduced operator skill requirements, using standard components and minimizing the risk of workpiece damage, while maintaining stability during machining operations.
Implementation Method 1
A ring nut is provided outside the locking device, coaxial with the main body and having a conical inner surface adapted to interact with the locking members in the radial direction to lock/unlock the pin secured to the workpiece.
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of locking members inserted in corresponding seats formed in the main body... A simple rotation of the ring nut moves the locking members that act upon the pin, thereby reducing the locking times and affording substantially stable clamping of the workpiece.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4C
Figure 5A~7B
AI summary
A modular device for clamping and/or supporting a workpiece (P) on a base plate (B) of a machine tool, which comprises a main body (2) with a central cavity (3), having a first longitudinal end portion (4) and a second longitudinal end portion, the latter having an external thread, first fixing means (11) comprising a pin (12) adapted to be introduced into the first end portion (4) of the body (2) and to be secured to the workpiece (P), second fixing means (13) adapted to be introduced into the second end portion and to be secured to the base plate (B), a ring nut (28) mounted outside the main body (2) and screwed onto the external thread of the second end portion, a plurality of locking members (19) adapted to be introduced into corresponding angularly offset seats (18) of the main body (2) and each having an outer end (21) adapted to cooperate with the inner surface of the ring nut (28) to exert a radial thrust thereupon. The pin (12) comprises an annular recess, proximate to a longitudinal end, with a substantially conical first contact surface. The locking members (19) have an inner end with a first portion whose concave shape is complementary to that of the conical first contact surface.