Retractable Clamp Fixing for Extrusion Thickness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Extrusion processes in industries like aeronautics face challenges in controlling the thickness of panels due to high viscosity resins, leading to irregular shapes and volumes, and existing clamp-based fixing devices fail to provide precise thickness control.
Innovation Solution
A temporary fixing device with retractable clamps and position control nuts that maintain a thickness reference, allowing precise control and compensation for resin-induced thickness increases, featuring a main body with inner cavities and stop mechanisms for clamp movement and nut rotation to ensure accurate thickness management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high viscosity resin is introduced into the extrusion space, then the panels are fixed together, but the thickness of the extrusion space increases irregularly
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary thickness control by positioning the control nut against the reference surface before resin introduction. This establishes a thickness reference that compensates for the expected resin volume, preventing irregular thickness increase during the fixing process
Solution Approach 2:
The control nut acts as an intermediary element between the clamp and the reference surface. It translates the thickness reference into a mechanical constraint that maintains precise thickness control during resin introduction and panel fixing
2Reliability
If clamp-based fixing devices are used to keep panels attached, then panels remain fixed during resin solidification, but precise thickness control is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is segmented into functional modules: clamp elements for panel attachment, control nut for thickness control, and reference surface for positioning. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally - the clamp provides mechanical attachment while the control nut ensures precise thickness control
Solution Approach 2:
The control nut can be adjusted dynamically during the process. It is positioned against the reference surface to establish thickness control, then can be removed or adjusted after resin solidification, providing adaptability throughout the different stages of the process
3Manufacturing precision
If the extrusion space thickness is not precisely controlled, then the extrudate has irregular shape and volume, but achieving precise control requires complex fixing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness control function is extracted from the clamp structure and implemented through a separate control nut mechanism. This simplifies the overall device by separating the attachment function (clamp) from the control function (nut), making each element simpler and more effective
Solution Approach 2:
The control nut serves multiple functions: it establishes the thickness reference, maintains control during resin introduction, and can be removed after solidification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall device
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a temporary fixing device and method which allow fixing the thickness of an extrusion space (230) demarcated by a first panel (200) and a second panel (220), such that the increases in thickness resulting from introducing a resin (300) can be corrected. The device comprises a main body (100) inside which there are housed retractable clamps (130) arranged around a cotter (140), and outside which there is screwed a first position control nut (110). The clamps (130) are movable along a main axis between a first relative position and a second relative position with respect to the main body (100), where in the first position, the tips (136) of the clamps (130) are in contact, and in the second position, the tips (136) of the clamps (130) are separated by the cotter (140).