Segmented Clamping Jaw Plates for Drill Rod Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clamping jaws for drilling machines are costly to manufacture, difficult to assemble and disassemble, and require modifications to accommodate different drill rod diameters, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns during maintenance and operation.
Innovation Solution
A clamping jaw design featuring a stack of separate plates with toothed portions that can be easily cut to form an engagement zone, allowing for adaptation to various diameters without special treatment, and a support system with aligned fixing holes for quick assembly and disassembly, using untreated steel for cost-effectiveness and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional clamping jaws with machined peaks or ridges are used, then clamping effectiveness is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaw is divided into multiple separate plates that can be individually manufactured and then assembled together. Each plate contains toothed portions that when combined form the complete engagement zone. This segmentation allows simpler, less expensive manufacturing of individual components while maintaining the overall clamping effectiveness through the assembled structure.
2Reliability
If traditional clamping jaws with machined peaks or ridges are used, then clamping effectiveness is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex engagement zone is segmented into multiple simpler plates that can be manufactured independently using standard cutting processes. This reduces the complexity of each individual component and simplifies the overall manufacturing process while maintaining the functional complexity needed for effective clamping through the assembled configuration.
3Reliability
If clamping jaws are designed for specific drill rod diameters, then clamping effectiveness is optimized, but adaptability to different diameters is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaw employs flexible plates that can be bent or deformed to adapt to different drill rod diameters. The plates are not rigidly fixed in a single configuration but can be dynamically adjusted to match various rod sizes, allowing the same clamping jaw to effectively clamp rods of different diameters while maintaining optimal contact and clamping force.
4Strength
If clamping jaws require special treatment to achieve sufficient hardness, then strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw is segmented into multiple plates that can be manufactured from standard hard steel without requiring complex heat treatment processes. The individual plates are cut to shape and assembled, allowing the use of readily available hard steel materials that do not require special treatment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining sufficient hardness and strength.
5Stability of the object's composition
If clamping jaws are designed as integrated units, then structural integrity is maintained, but ease of repair and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping jaw is segmented into multiple separate plates that can be individually replaced or repaired. If one plate becomes damaged or worn, it can be removed and replaced without affecting the other plates or the overall structural integrity of the jaw. This modular segmentation significantly improves ease of repair and maintenance while maintaining the structural integrity needed for effective clamping operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The jaw (50) has an insertion zone intended to make contact with a tightening element, and a stacking part (62) stacking a set of distinct plates (60), where a wafer (68) of each plate includes a toothed portion (76). The toothed portions are arranged to reconstitute the insertion zone of the jaw. The plate is provided with a fastener (80) including a clamp hole (81). The clamp hole is aligned with another clamp hole to form a passage housing (82) traversing the stacking part directly through and adapted to receive a retainer pin (86) i.e. bolt.