Spring-Loaded Parallelogram Clamp for Variable Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing substructure clamps in the automotive industry face challenges in securely clamping components with varying thicknesses due to tolerance fluctuations, leading to unreliable clamping and potential loosening of toggle lever joints, especially when dealing with sheet metal, cast aluminum, or plastic parts.
Innovation Solution
A substructure clamp design featuring a toggle lever joint arrangement driven by a piston-cylinder unit or linear motor, with a multi-armed lever element and a spring element, which ensures secure locking over a wide tolerance range by maintaining a frictional connection through a pressure lever and slotted guides, allowing for adjustable spring force and clamping range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional substructure clamp with fixed toggle lever joint is used, then the clamping force is sufficient for standard thicknesses, but the clamp cannot reliably clamp components with varying thicknesses due to tolerance fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle lever joint arrangement is made dynamically adjustable through the spring element and movable pivot axis. The spring element allows the toggle joint to maintain frictional connection and locked position across varying thicknesses (0-10mm), transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different workpiece dimensions while maintaining clamping reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the toggle joint system by introducing a spring element with adjustable pretension and a movable pivot axis. These parameter changes enable the system to accommodate thickness variations while maintaining the frictional connection necessary for reliable locking in the dead center position
2Reliability
If the toggle lever joint is positioned exactly at dead center, then locking is achieved, but the clamp cannot accommodate thickness variations without coming loose
Solution Approach 1:
The movable pivot axis allows the toggle joint to dynamically adjust its position relative to the dead center position. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the joint to maintain stable locking across thickness variations from 0-10mm, accommodating tolerance fluctuations while preserving locking stability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as an intermediary between the toggle lever joint and the housing. It provides continuous frictional connection and maintains the locked position by compensating for thickness variations, allowing the toggle joint to remain stable beyond the exact dead center position
3Adaptability or versatility
If a gas spring arranged laterally on the housing is used to compensate for thickness variations, then adaptability is improved, but the transverse dimensions of the clamp increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is nested within the existing clamp structure, specifically within the housing or attached to internal components. This nested arrangement allows thickness compensation functionality to be integrated without increasing the external transverse dimensions of the clamp
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a lateral gas spring that increases transverse dimensions, the invention places the spring element in the longitudinal dimension (along the clamping direction). The spring acts in the clamping direction to provide thickness compensation, utilizing the existing longitudinal space within the clamp structure
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 securely holds components with thickness variations from 0 to 10 mm, preventing toggle joint loosening and maintaining locking even beyond the dead center position, ensuring reliable clamping across different thicknesses and types of materials.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining a frictional connection through a pressure lever and slotted guides
Implementation Method 2
spring element - if necessary indirectly - which at its opposite end is attached to an extension or another abutment of the end section of the tensioning element arranged in the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a substructure clamp, particularly for use in body construction in the automotive industry. It demonstrates how such a substructure clamp can be designed with simple structural means to clamp components of varying overall thicknesses without adversely increasing the transverse dimensions measured perpendicular to a force drive of a toggle joint arrangement.