Quick Clamping Mechanism With Speed-Triggered Release Lockout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick clamping devices for portable power tools, such as angle grinders, fail to prevent the release of attached tools during high rotational speeds, posing a safety risk to operators.
Innovation Solution
A quick clamping device with a decoupling unit that disconnects the operator control unit from the clamping unit at high rotational speeds, using mechanisms like centrifugal, friction, or spring-based systems to prevent actuation of the clamping element, ensuring the tool remains secured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator control unit is directly connected to the clamping unit, then the clamping element can be easily actuated to release the tool, but at high rotational speeds this causes safety risks due to unintended tool release
Solution Approach 1:
A decoupling unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the operator control unit and the clamping unit. This decoupling unit includes a decoupling element that can be in either a coupled state (allowing actuation) or a decoupled state (preventing actuation). The intermediary mechanism selectively transmits or blocks the actuating force based on rotational speed conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static direct connection to a dynamic conditional connection. The decoupling element's state (coupled or decoupled) changes dynamically based on the rotational speed of the output shaft. At low speeds, the connection is active for easy operation; at high speeds, the connection is automatically decoupled to prevent unintended tool release, thus adapting the system behavior to operational conditions.
2Reliability
If a decoupling unit is added to prevent tool release at high speeds, then operator safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling unit operates autonomously based on the rotational speed conditions without requiring external control systems. The decoupling element automatically transitions between coupled and decoupled states in response to the rotational speed of the output shaft, using the system's own operational parameters to control its state. This self-regulating mechanism enhances safety without adding complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential electronic or complex control systems with a purely mechanical decoupling mechanism. The decoupling element uses mechanical interactions (such as friction, centrifugal force, or geometric constraints) to sense rotational speed and automatically decouple the control unit from the clamping unit when safety conditions are met, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high reliability.
3Reliability
If the decoupling unit uses high rotational speed threshold (e.g., above 1000 rpm), then safety is maintained during normal operation, but the decoupling may not activate in time during sudden speed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling unit is designed to prepare for decoupling in advance of the critical speed threshold being reached. The decoupling element begins to transition toward the decoupled state before the output shaft reaches the critical rotational speed, ensuring that the decoupling action is already underway or complete by the time the speed threshold is attained. This preliminary action prevents any gap period where the tool might be inadvertently released during sudden speed increases.
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 effectively prevents the release of attached tools during high-speed operation, enhancing operator safety by maintaining tool fixation even at rotational speeds above 1000 rpm.
Implementation Method 1
the decoupling unit is provided for decoupling the operator control unit from the clamping unit in a manner dependent on a rotational speed of the output shaft
Implementation Method 2
The decoupling unit may have a clutch element, a centrifugal element, a friction element
Data Source
AI summary
A quick clamping device for a portable power tool includes at least one rotatably drivable output shaft, at least one clamping unit, at least one operating unit, and at least one uncoupling unit. The clamping unit, for tool-free fastening of an insert tool unit to the output shaft, includes at least one movably mounted clamping element for applying clamping force to the insert tool unit in a clamping position of the clamping element. The operating unit is configured to move the clamping element into the clamping position and/or into a release position of the clamping element. In the release position, the insert tool unit can be removed from the clamping unit. The at least one uncoupling unit is configured to uncouple the operating unit from the clamping unit in accordance with the rotational speed of the output shaft.