Pliers With Bow-Shaped Resilient Portions For Adjustable Clamping
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking pliers require multiple adjustments to achieve optimal clamping pressure, often resulting in over-pressure or under-pressure, leading to damage or failure when clamping bodywork parts, and are expensive and complex to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
The pliers incorporate bow-shaped resilient portions and a toothed strut mechanism with a ratcheting switch that allows intuitive locking and unlocking, enabling adjustable clamping pressure and reduced parts count, with the option to switch between locking and non-locking modes, using materials like spring steel for durability and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an adjustment screw is used to pre-set clamping pressure, then the locking pressure can be determined, but multiple adjustments are required to attain the required gripping pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient portion automatically adjusts to the workpiece size and shape, self-regulating the clamping pressure without requiring manual screw adjustments. The system serves itself by using the workpiece geometry to determine the optimal clamping force through the elastic deformation of the resilient portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion changes its physical state from rigid to elastic, allowing it to deform and adapt to different workpiece dimensions. This parameter change enables the system to automatically adjust clamping pressure for various workpiece sizes without manual intervention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the clamping width is set by an adjusting screw, then the clamping pressure is determined, but the clamping action fails when the clamped material moves or vibrates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient portion transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic elastic component that can deform and recover. This dynamic capability allows the clamping system to maintain stable contact with the workpiece during vibration and movement, as the resilient portion continuously adapts to position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and compensates for movements and vibrations before they can cause clamping failure. By anticipating and absorbing these disturbances through elastic deformation, the system maintains reliable grip under dynamic conditions.
3Strength
If robust handles and jaws are used, then the pliers can clamp bodywork parts, but inadvertent over pressure results in damage or distortion of the clamped parts
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient portion changes the force transmission characteristics by introducing elastic deformation. This parameter change in the mechanical system allows the robust handles and jaws to deliver strong clamping force while the resilient portion modulates the pressure to prevent damage to the workpiece surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient portion serves as a cushioning element between the robust clamping mechanism and the workpiece. It absorbs excess force and prevents inadvertent over-pressure from damaging the clamped parts, while still allowing the application of sufficient clamping force for effective gripping.
4Reliability
If a toothed strut with locking mechanism is used, then the jaws can be locked in position, but the device is expensive and complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The complex toothed strut locking mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler resilient portion-based system. The essential locking function is retained through the elastic retention of the resilient portion, while the manufacturing complexity and cost are significantly reduced by eliminating the toothed strut assembly.
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 cost-effective, versatile gripping tool that maintains consistent clamping pressure across various workpiece sizes and shapes, preventing surface damage and maintaining grip under vibration, while being simpler and less expensive to produce.
Implementation Method 1
Bow shaped resilient portion or portions are usefully incorporated within either or both the jaw or handle portions, when the pliers are operated these resilient portions impart a useful superior elastic potential energy pressure upon the clamped workpiece
Data Source
AI summary
A pliers has jaw portions incorporating gripping faces for the clamping of the desired workpiece, two pivotal handle portions and a sprung toothed strut positioned between the handles. A bow shaped resilient portion, incorporated within the second arm portion, when the pliers are operated this resilient portion imparts a useful superior sprung pressure upon the clamped workpiece by the gripping face of the jaws. The second arm and bend promoting portion are contiguous with each other. The jaws can further be usefully locked in the required clamping position upon the workpiece by a toothed sprung strut pivotally attached to the first and second arms and conveniently being locked or unlocked according to the locking switch pivotal within the first arm.