Roller-Engaged Clamping Spindle for Fast, Low-Friction Vise Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamping apparatuses and vises face challenges in rapidly and effectively clamping objects of varying sizes with high clamping force, often requiring complex mechanisms and high frictional forces during screwing operations.
Innovation Solution
A clamping apparatus featuring a spindle body and nut element with axially rotatably secured roller bodies and distributed engagement regions, allowing for clamping without threaded engagement initially, then transitioning to threaded engagement for secure clamping, reducing frictional forces and increasing clamping force with reduced effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional threaded engagement is used for clamping, then high clamping force can be achieved, but frictional forces are high and clamping speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The nut element is segmented into multiple sections with roller bodies distributed around its circumference. Each roller body engages with corresponding engagement regions on the spindle body, dividing the clamping action into multiple parallel contact points. This segmentation reduces frictional resistance by distributing the load across multiple rolling contacts rather than a single threaded interface.
Solution Approach 2:
Roller bodies with curved surfaces are introduced between the nut element and spindle body engagement regions. These cylindrical/curved rolling elements replace the traditional flat threaded contact surfaces, enabling rolling motion instead of sliding friction. The curved geometry of the rollers allows them to rotate as they move along the engagement regions, significantly reducing frictional forces during clamping operations.
2Speed
If conventional vise mechanisms are used for rapid adjustment, then clamping speed can be improved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping apparatus transitions from a static threaded engagement system to a dynamic system where roller bodies can rotate and move along the engagement regions. The roller bodies are mounted on axles that allow them to spin freely during the clamping process, creating a dynamic rolling contact mechanism. This dynamic approach enables rapid adjustment by simply rotating the nut element relative to the spindle body, eliminating the need for complex rapid-adjustment mechanisms while maintaining high clamping speed.
3Reliability
If threaded engagement is used throughout the entire clamping process, then secure clamping is achieved, but the effort required for rotational actuation is high
Solution Approach 1:
Roller bodies serve as intermediary elements between the nut element and spindle body. These rollers mediate the force transmission by converting rotational motion into linear clamping motion through rolling contact. The intermediary rollers reduce the direct frictional interaction between the nut and spindle, thereby reducing the effort required for rotational actuation while still achieving secure clamping through the mechanical advantage of the threaded engagement geometry.
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 simple, rapid, and effective clamping of objects with high clamping force, reducing frictional resistance and allowing for efficient clamping of components and workpieces, while minimizing the effort required for rotational actuation.
Implementation Method 1
reducing frictional forces and increasing clamping force with reduced effort
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping apparatus includes a spindle body and a nut element to be screwed together for decreasing a spacing between first and second clamping elements to clamp an object disposed therebetween. The nut element has roller bodies with a defined roller engagement structure axially rotatably secured on a receiving body of the nut element and distributed in circumferential direction. A plurality of engagement regions distributed and/or spaced apart on the spindle body each have one spindle body engagement structure. The roller engagement structures of the roller bodies engage or can engage the spindle body engagement structures of the spindle body. The nut element can be screwed to the spindle body by the mutually engaged engagement structures of the spindle body and of the roller bodies, in particular with rolling of the roller bodies on the spindle body. An apparatus and a vise having the clamping apparatus are also provided.