Moveable Clamp Mount for Work Line Wear Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional clamps for work vehicles cause excessive friction and premature wear in work lines due to movement and pressure changes, leading to flexure and radial deformation that results in wear against the clamps.

Innovation Solution

A clamp fastening device with a clamp structure that applies radial inward force and a moveable mount structure allowing sliding, linear, and angular movement to accommodate articulation of the work machine, reducing friction and wear by allowing the line to flex and self-adjust.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional clamps are used to secure work lines, then the work lines are held in place, but excessive friction and premature wear occur due to movement and pressure changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework line durabilityVSAvoidfriction and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp structure is designed with moveable components that allow it to dynamically adjust to work line movement and articulation. The clamp body can pivot and the clamp arms can move independently, transforming the static clamping system into a dynamic one that accommodates motion while maintaining secure attachment, thereby reducing friction and wear on the work line

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp is divided into multiple independent segments including the clamp body, clamp arms, and mounting structure. Each segment can move independently to accommodate different types of motion (linear, angular, articulation), allowing the work line to flex without creating excessive friction against a rigid clamping surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the clamp structure is made moveable to reduce friction, then wear is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefriction and wearVSAvoidclamp structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into multiple independent segments including the clamp body, clamp arms, and mounting structure. Each segment can move independently to accommodate different types of motion (linear, angular, articulation), allowing the work line to flex without creating excessive friction against a rigid clamping surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp structure is designed with moveable components that allow it to dynamically adjust to work line movement and articulation. The clamp body can pivot and the clamp arms can move independently, transforming the static clamping system into a dynamic one that accommodates motion while maintaining secure attachment, thereby reducing friction and wear on the work line

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the clamp structure allows movement to accommodate articulation, then work line flexure is reduced, but the clamping force may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework line integrityVSAvoidclamping force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp structure is designed with moveable components that allow it to dynamically adjust to work line movement and articulation. The clamp body can pivot and the clamp arms can move independently, transforming the static clamping system into a dynamic one that accommodates motion while maintaining secure attachment, thereby reducing friction and wear on the work line

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp is divided into multiple independent segments including the clamp body, clamp arms, and mounting structure. Each segment can move independently to accommodate different types of motion (linear, angular, articulation), allowing the work line to flex without creating excessive friction against a rigid clamping surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces wear on work lines by allowing movement and self-adjustment, while also being efficient to manufacture and assemble, with fewer parts and quicker assembly/disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

a clamp structure (126) configured to receive the work line and apply a radial inward force to the work line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

reducing friction and wear by allowing the line to flex and self-adjust

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3379123B1Clamp fastening device and work vehicle with such
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 DEERE & CO
  • EP3379123B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3379123B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3379123B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A clamp fastening device (25) and a work vehicle (20) with such clamp fastening device (25) is disclosed. The clamp fastening device (25) is configured to attach a work line (22, 122, 222, 322) to the work machine (20), the clamp fastening device (25) comprising: a clamp structure (126, 226, 326, 426, 526) with a line aperture (132, 432) configured to receive the line (22, 122, 222, 322), the clamp structure (126, 226, 326, 426, 526) configured to releasably clamp to and retain a segment of the line (22, 122, 222, 322) within the line aperture (132, 432); and a mount structure (128, 228, 328, 428) configured to be supported on an area of the work line (22, 122, 222, 322); wherein the mount structure (128, 228, 328, 428) is moveably attached to the clamp structure (126, 226, 326, 426, 526) to support movement of the clamp structure (126, 226, 326, 426, 526) relative to the mount structure (128, 228, 328, 428) along at least one direction; and wherein the mount structure (128, 228, 328, 428) is configured to support movement of the clamp structure (126, 226, 326, 426, 526) and the segment of the line (22, 122, 222, 322) relative to the area of the work line (22, 122, 222, 322) along the at least one direction.