Pivoting Clamp Assembly for Lateral Workpiece Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps used in woodworking and metalworking fail to adequately secure workpieces laterally on a slotted worktable, leading to potential movement during machining operations due to insufficient friction.
Innovation Solution
A clamp assembly comprising a U-pad body, adapter body, anchor nut, tightening nut, and stud, which allows for pivoting and positioning in slots, providing both downward and lateral clamping forces through a clamping groove and pivot mechanism, enabling secure holding of workpieces in any desired position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamps apply only downward clamping force normal to the tabletop surface, then the clamp structure remains simple, but lateral friction between workpiece and tabletop becomes insufficient to prevent workpiece movement
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly transitions from applying force in only the vertical direction (normal to tabletop) to applying force in multiple directions by introducing a pivoting mechanism. The pad body can rotate about the stud axis, enabling the application of lateral clamping forces in addition to downward forces, thereby securing the workpiece both vertically and horizontally against movement
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly incorporates a dynamic pivoting mechanism where the pad body can rotate relative to the base body about the stud axis. This dynamic capability allows the clamp to adapt its clamping force direction based on workpiece position and machining requirements, transitioning from a static single-direction clamp to a dynamic multi-directional clamping system
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional clamps are fixed in position on the worktable, then the clamp structure remains simple, but the clamp cannot be positioned optimally for different workpiece locations and machining operations
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly allows the pad body to pivot dynamically about the stud axis, enabling the clamping surface to be oriented at different angles and positions. This dynamic adjustment capability provides adaptability for different workpiece locations and machining operations without requiring multiple fixed clamps
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting mechanism enables a single clamp assembly to perform multiple clamping functions at different angles and positions, making it universally applicable to various workpiece configurations and machining operations rather than being limited to a single fixed positioning
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 assembly effectively secures workpieces laterally and downwardly, enhancing stability and preventing movement during machining by optimizing clamping force distribution and friction, thus improving the reliability of machining operations.
Implementation Method 1
friction between the workpiece and the tabletop may be the only resistance to lateral movement of the workpiece along the worktable upper surface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (100), including: a U-pad body (200) having a bottom (210), a top (212), a front side (214), a rear side (216), a first side (218), a second side (220), a clamping groove (204) that is recessed into the bottom, and a U-pad body pivot feature (202); and an adapter body (300) disposed atop the U-pad body and including an adapter pivot feature (302). The adapter pivot feature and the U-pad body pivot feature cooperate to enable the U-pad body to pivot relative to the adapter body. The apparatus further includes: an anchor nut (400) disposed below the U-pad body; a tightening nut (500) disposed above the adapter body; and a stud (600) that is secured to the anchor nut, that is secured to the tightening nut, and that is passes through the adapter body hole and through the U-pad.