Precision Vice Clamping Center Adjustment via Segmented Threaded Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing precision vices for machine tools face challenges in precisely adjusting the clamping center when assembled, with low adjustment accuracy and poor accessibility of adjustment mechanisms, leading to reduced clamping precision and increased wear due to complex thread systems.

Innovation Solution

A precision vise design featuring a U-shaped base body with guide grooves and precision carriages, a self-locking threaded sleeve, and wedge clamps that allow precise adjustment of the clamping center without axial movement of the drive spindle, ensuring high clamping forces and robustness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a bearing block with adjustment bores is used to move the drive spindle for fine adjustment of the clamping center, then the clamping center can be adjusted, but the adjustment accuracy is low and the accessibility of the adjustment mechanism is poor when mounted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping center adjustment accuracyVSAvoidaccessibility of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into a threaded bore in the base body and a separate threaded sleeve on the carriage, allowing independent adjustment of the carriage position relative to the drive spindle without moving the spindle itself. This segmentation enables precise adjustment while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the carriage and the drive spindle. By threading the carriage into the threaded bore and using the threaded sleeve to lock the carriage in position, the system achieves precise adjustment of the clamping center without requiring access to the drive spindle itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If two threads with different pitches are used in the screw bushing system, then axial movement of the carriage can be achieved by turning the screw bushing, but the external thread may be damaged if jammed with the threaded pin and wear is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of clamping centerVSAvoidthread durability and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment function is extracted from the drive spindle system and placed in the carriage system. The threaded sleeve on the carriage engages with the threaded bore in the base body, separating the adjustment mechanism from the drive spindle and preventing damage to external threads during adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the drive spindle to adjust the clamping center, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the drive spindle fixed and moving the carriage relative to it through the threaded connection. This reversal eliminates the risk of damaging external threads during adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If the entire base body of the vice is moved on the machine table to move the clamping center, then the clamping center position can be changed, but the displacement can hardly be done with the greatest precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping center position accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system is segmented into a fixed base body and a movable carriage system. The carriage can be adjusted independently along the common axis through the threaded connection, allowing precise positioning of the clamping center without requiring movement of the entire base body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables precise and easy adjustment of the clamping center even in the assembled state, with improved accessibility and reduced wear, maintaining high clamping precision and power transmission.

Implementation Method 1

A threaded sleeve (19), which has the first threaded bore (11) associated with the first precision slide (9), is arranged in the first precision slide (9) so that it can be rotated in an axially fixed manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

Two wedge clamps (20, 21) engaging tangentially in the outer peripheral groove (23), which at least partially encompass the threaded sleeve (19) in the outer peripheral groove (23), serve as a wedge element so that the threaded sleeve (19) can be locked in rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1813389B1Precision vice for a machine tool
Publication Date: 2010.04.14 ERHARD WILHELM
  • EP1813389B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1813389B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The device has a threaded casing for fine adjustment of clamping centre of the vice and supported around a common axis (A) in a precision carriage (9) in a rotatable manner. The casing has a threaded hole (11), and clamping units (20, 21, 22) are arranged in the carriage and are provided for coupling and decoupling the casing with the carriage in a fixed manner. The clamping units and the casing are formed in such a manner that the casing takes up a predetermined position in direction along the axis relative to the carriage through a fixed coupling.