Pipe Holding Apparatus with Dynamic Threaded Nut for Rapid Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding apparatuses for machining round and/or tubular work pieces lack efficient mechanisms for quickly releasing clamping arms and require significant space for adjustment mechanisms, limiting their operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A holding apparatus with pivotable clamping arms and a compact adjustment mechanism featuring a threaded spindle and drivers that allow for quick adjustment and release, utilizing a spindle drive and reversal gear mechanism for axial and radial movement, enabling rapid clamping and release while minimizing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional adjustment mechanism with threaded spindle and nut is used, then the clamping arms can be adjusted toward the pipe, but the release of clamping arms is slow and the mechanism requires significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the threaded nut movable relative to the base part rather than fixed. The nut can be shifted radially outward to disengage from the threaded spindle, enabling rapid release of the clamping arms. This dynamic configuration allows the adjustment mechanism to transition between a locked state (for precise adjustment) and an unlocked state (for rapid release), resolving the contradiction between adjustment precision and release speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into functionally independent components: the threaded spindle for axial adjustment, the movable threaded nut for radial disengagement, and the clamping arms. This segmentation allows the nut to be independently moved radially to disengage from the spindle, enabling quick release without affecting other parts of the mechanism, thus reducing the time loss for clamping arm release.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional adjustment mechanism is used, then the clamping arms can be moved toward the pipe, but the mechanism requires significant space for clamping movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by introducing radial movement of the threaded nut as a new degree of freedom. Instead of requiring linear space along the axial direction for release movements, the mechanism uses radial displacement of the nut to disengage from the spindle. This transforms the release function from a one-dimensional axial movement to a two-dimensional operation (axial adjustment + radial disengagement), significantly reducing the space required for the adjustment mechanism.
3Reliability
If the threaded part is fixed in place on the base part, then the spindle drive function is maintained, but quick adjustment and release of the threaded spindle is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded part (nut) is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to be shifted radially outward to disengage from the threaded spindle. This dynamic configuration maintains reliable threaded engagement during the clamping phase while enabling rapid release when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between engagement stability and adjustment speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable nut is preliminarily positioned in threaded engagement with the spindle for precise adjustment, then preliminarily prepared for rapid release by allowing radial displacement. This preliminary configuration enables the mechanism to switch between stable engagement and quick release modes, improving productivity without compromising reliability.
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 apparatus allows for fast and reliable release of clamping arms and efficient adjustment with minimal space, enhancing operational efficiency and ease of use in machining applications.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded spindle that can be manually activated and/or activated by means of an auxiliary force, which spindle is releasably in threaded engagement with a threaded part
Data Source
AI summary
A holding apparatus for holding a workpiece, which has a round and/or tubular cross section and is to be machined, in such a way that, in the held state, the workpiece can be rotated in relation to the holding apparatus, having at least two clamping arms, which are mounted in a pivotable manner on a base part and by means of which a clamping force can be exerted onto the workpiece, and having an adjustment mechanism for the clamping arms. Provision is made for the adjustment mechanism to have at least two drivers which are guided in a straight line, it being possible for the clamping arms to be pivoted or the clamping arms being pivoted toward one another by virtue of the movement of the drivers, wherein the drivers are arranged one behind the other as seen transversely in relation to the direction of movement of the drivers.