Panel Support Clamp Parallel Jaw Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel clamps face issues with inconsistent compression due to varying panel thicknesses, leading to oblique jaw alignment and potential detachment during tightening, and lack of full unlosability of the tightening screw, which compromises secure gripping and stability.
Innovation Solution
A panel support clamp design featuring L-shaped jaws with snap-fit plates, a secure tightening mechanism using a partially un-threaded screw with a flange, and interchangeable spacers to ensure parallelism and unlosability, along with articulating pins and beveled edges for enhanced engagement and resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp uses deformable elements to accommodate varying panel thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to oblique jaw alignment and inconsistent compression
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the two jaws. This spacer maintains a fixed distance from the engagement surface of the first jaw, ensuring that the compression force is applied at a precise, predetermined location regardless of panel thickness variations. The spacer acts as a mediator that decouples the adaptability function from the precision requirement, allowing the jaws to remain parallel and properly aligned while still accommodating different panel thicknesses.
2Ease of manufacture
If the clamp structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential detachment of tightening screw and engagement elements
Solution Approach 1:
The tightening screw is nested within a recess of the first jaw, and the engagement elements are nested within corresponding recesses of the second jaw. This nesting arrangement ensures that critical components are housed within protective cavities, preventing them from becoming detached or lost during operation. The recesses act as containment structures that maintain component security while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall design.
3Reliability
If the clamp uses complex engagement structures to ensure unlosability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: articulating pins for guiding jaw movement, retaining arms for securing the spacer, and recesses for housing the tightening screw. Each segment performs a specific function, and together they create a reliable engagement system. This segmentation allows for modular design and assembly while ensuring that each component contributes to the overall security and stability of the clamp.
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 clamp achieves perfect surface engagement and unlosable operation, ensuring secure gripping and stability across varying panel thicknesses, preventing detachment and wear, while meeting Machinery Directive requirements.
Implementation Method 1
On each jaw there is applied a plate made of soft material which deforms upon tightening to guarantee the perfect fastening of the inserted panel
Implementation Method 2
On the lower end of each arm an articulating pin is provided projecting inwardly, apt to tightly engage within a corresponding guiding groove of the first jaw, so as to guarantee a secure fastening between the jaws
Implementation Method 3
a flange (12) provided between the head and the threading of the screw (10), said flange (12) being apt to engage with a hole (11) provided in the second jaw (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~8
Figure 9~11
Figure 12~14
AI summary
A panel support clamp consisting of: at least a pair of mutually cooperating jaws (1,2) and both carrying, on one side, fastening and tightening elements; said fastening and tightening elements providing, on a first one of said jaws, a parallelepiped body (6) with at least one screw- in seat and, on a second one of said jaws, a tightening screw, as well as guiding elements for the housing of said parallelepiped body, consisting of a pair of retaining arms (9a, 9b) and of a cavity obtained on the inner surface thereof; on each of the lateral walls of said parallelepiped body a guiding groove (13), for the housing and sliding of a pair of articulating pins (14a, 14b), protruding inwards from the ends of said retaining arms; within said parallelepiped body recesses (7) for the introduction of fastening elements to a support base, and control means maintaining secure the parallelism between the opposite surfaces of the two jaws (1,2) and the respective panel walls.