Parallel Screw Clamping Device for Confined Workpiece Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices often require significant space and skilled operation, limiting their use in smaller areas and restricting accessibility for less experienced tooling designers, as they apply clamping forces non-parallel to the actuation means.
Innovation Solution
A screw with a washer and nut mechanism that allows for parallel clamping action, reducing space consumption and enabling easy operation by rotating the screw, which can be actuated manually or automatically, using various actuation types, and is customizable for different workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional clamping devices apply clamping forces non-parallel to the actuation means, then clamping action is achieved, but space consumption increases and accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional clamping mechanism by making the clamping force parallel to the actuation direction rather than perpendicular. The screw mechanism directly translates rotational actuation into linear clamping motion along the same axis, eliminating the need for wedge or cam mechanisms that require non-parallel force application. This inversion reduces the device profile and improves accessibility to confined areas.
2Reliability
If conventional clamping devices require skilled operation, then reliable clamping is achieved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The screw mechanism is inherently self-locking due to friction between the threaded components, which prevents the clamped workpiece from loosening or detaching during operation. This self-service特性 eliminates the need for operators to have specialized skills to maintain clamping reliability, as the mechanism automatically maintains its clamping force without requiring active control or monitoring.
3Device complexity
If conventional clamping devices use wedge or cam mechanisms, then clamping action is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate wedge or cam mechanisms from conventional clamping devices, using only a direct screw mechanism to convert rotational actuation into linear clamping motion. This simplification reduces the number of moving parts and structural complexity while maintaining effective clamping force through the direct mechanical advantage of the threaded connection.
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
Enables secure, low-cost, and rapid clamping of workpieces in smaller areas, facilitating secondary machining or processing, and providing a standardized method for lesser-experienced designers to clamp parts efficiently, previously inaccessible due to space and skill constraints.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator key is passed thru the part method passageway and then thru the centrally located passageway of the customized clamping device and down into the driving cavity of the screw. Then the actuator key is rotated, advancing the device onto the part and tooling structure
Implementation Method 2
The screw assemblage within the clamping device may be used to attach to a coupling link that is upon the power shaft of an automatic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping device & method for down clamping against a workpiece by utilizing part features produced during a prior operation. The mechanics of this device allow it to open, close, raise and lower during its initialization and release. The device contains a built in block type jaw restraint to facilitate the customization of its clamping heads to suit the shape of the part feature it is to clamp down upon. This device is used within the part boundaries, thus facilitating higher quantity part batch sizes being presented to the limited travels of the machine tool used to process the parts. This invention is comprised of readily available hardware items along with two cost effective and simple to mass-produce components. The device can be actuated manually or with automatic actuation. The method described to prepare the project is unique to the function & usage of this invention.