Piston Disc Brake Clamp for Short-Stroke Accurate Rod Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing braking and/or clamping devices lack fast-acting mechanisms with high accuracy and a short stroke.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a pressure chamber bounded by a piston with a convex piston top and a disk element, where the piston top rests against a disk element, and the pressure chamber is radially bounded by the housing's inner wall and an inner ring, allowing for a decrease in radial load on the inner wall as the disk element deforms, enabling quick clamping and release through pneumatic or hydraulic pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a conventional braking and/or clamping device is used, then the structure is simple, but the response time is slow and the stroke is long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disc element that dynamically changes its deformation state based on pressure chamber conditions. The disc element transitions from a deformed state (during clamping) to an unloaded state (during release), enabling fast response. This dynamic behavior allows the system to achieve short stroke and rapid action without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a pressure chamber that can be pressurized with pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to rapidly deform the disc element. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism enables fast-acting clamping and release operations, significantly reducing response time compared to purely mechanical systems while maintaining manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Manufacturing precision

If the piston directly contacts the inner wall, then the structure is simple, but the clamping accuracy and positioning precision are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a disc element as an intermediary between the piston and the inner wall. This disc element mediates the force transmission, allowing the piston to deform the disc element which then contacts the inner wall. This intermediary mechanism improves clamping accuracy and positioning precision by providing a more controlled and accurate contact interface, while the disc element's design keeps the overall structure complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the inner wall sections are permanently deformed, then the clamping force is strong, but the device cannot be released quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease speedVSAvoidclamping force
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes reversible parameter changes in the disc element. The disc element can be deformed by pressure chamber pressurization to generate clamping force, and then returned to its original shape when pressure is released. This reversible deformation capability allows the device to achieve both strong clamping force during operation and rapid release when needed, without permanent deformation of the inner wall sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The disc element serves as a dynamic component that changes its deformation state based on operational requirements. During clamping, it is deformed to provide strong contact force; during release, it returns to its unloaded state. This dynamic behavior enables fast release speeds while maintaining strong clamping force when required, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides a braking and/or clamping device with high accuracy and a short stroke, ensuring secure clamping and rapid release of machine parts, maintaining positional accuracy and enabling precise movement control.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure chamber is pressurized with pneumatic or hydraulic pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the pressure chamber is pressurized with pneumatic or hydraulic pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

each piston loads at least one disc element, deforming it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

The self-resetting inner wall sections return to their unloaded initial position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentEP4448978B1Brake and/or clamping device with piston load disc element
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ZIMMER MARTIN
  • EP4448978B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4448978B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4448978B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a braking and/or clamping device comprising an annular housing which has at least one pneumatic or hydraulic connection and surrounds a rod receptacle oriented in the axial direction, wherein the housing has a base part and a cover part, and wherein at least one annular pressure chamber is located within the housing. The pressure chamber is delimited in the axial direction by means of at least one piston which is movable in the axial direction. The pressure chamber is delimited in the radial direction by means of the outer walls of the housing and by means of at least one inner ring which surrounds an inner wall of the housing, said inner wall having at least one inner wall portion. In the housing, a disk element is disposed on the piston top face, which faces away from the pressure chamber and is oriented in the axial direction. The piston top face is or can be seated against or fastened to said disk element. The inner wall portion is protrudingly located in a cover part or in a base part of the housing. By means of the present invention, a quickly responding braking and/or clamping device having a small stroke and high accuracy is developed.