Shaft Brake-Clamp Assembly With Elastic Plates for Compact Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braking and/or clamping devices for shafts face challenges in achieving a compact design with few components, while maintaining simplicity, safety, and maintenance-free operation, especially for large diameters.
Innovation Solution
The device features an actuation assembly with a gap housing that can be elastically buckled and a shaft connection assembly with a multi-divided ring or circular segments, utilizing a sealed gap space filled with a pressure medium to apply clamping and/or braking force, and an elastically deformable metal support strip for tension adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a traditional braking device design is used, then the braking function is achieved, but the overall width becomes large and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and brake disc are merged into a single integrated component. The brake disc forms the bottom wall of the housing, eliminating the need for separate housing and brake disc components. This merging reduces the overall width and simplifies the structure while maintaining the braking function through the friction element that contacts the brake disc.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction element is nested within the housing structure, with the housing forming a cavity that contains the friction element. The actuator assembly is positioned within the housing, creating a compact nested arrangement where components are housed within each other to minimize overall dimensions and reduce structural complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used to ensure safety and functionality, then the braking performance is improved, but the number of components increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and brake disc are merged into a single integrated component, reducing the total number of parts. This integration maintains safety because the friction element still contacts the brake disc surface, and the actuator assembly remains functional within the integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake disc serves dual functions: it provides the friction surface for braking and simultaneously forms the bottom wall of the housing structure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining structural integrity and braking safety.
3Length of stationary object
If a compact design with small overall width is achieved, then the space requirement is reduced, but the clamping force and braking effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly utilizes elastic deformation of bent plates with curved friction surfaces. The curved friction surfaces engage with the brake disc to generate clamping force through elastic recovery, allowing effective force generation within a compact width.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure medium is introduced into the housing to act on the actuator assembly, providing the force needed to deform the bent plates and generate clamping force on the brake disc. This pneumatic/hydraulic actuation enables sufficient clamping force within a compact structure.
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
This configuration allows for a compact, safe, and maintenance-free operation with a small overall width, providing effective clamping and braking forces, and enabling high cycle durability with precise control over the clamping torque.
Implementation Method 1
Between the bending plates and the at least one support element lies a sealed gap, which can be filled with a pressure medium to elastically press the friction surfaces apart
Implementation Method 2
The actuating assembly comprises a gap housing having an attachment zone and a bending zone, which can be elastically buckled in some areas
Implementation Method 3
In two opposing clamping zones, the bending plates each have jaws with friction surfaces whose surface normals are directed inward
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a braking and/or clamping device for a shaft guided in relation to a base body, comprising an actuating assembly and comprising a shaft-coupling assembly. Said actuating assembly comprises a an outwardly orientated split housing which has two bending plates which can bulge elastically in certain regions. The bending plates each have gripper jaws with frictional surfaces. A sealed pressure chamber, which can be filled with a pressure medium, is situated between the bending plates. Parts of a shaft-coupling assembly project between the clamping zones, said parts establishing the linking to the braked or clamped shaft. When the pressure in the pressure chamber is relieved, the frictional surfaces of the actuating assembly can be applied to the frictional surfaces of the shaft-coupling assembly, thereby providing the braking and/or clamping force. According to the invention, a braking and/or clamping device which has a reduced structural width even with a large diameter, which has few components and which also functions in a simple, secure and maintenance-free manner, is developed.