Annular Shaft Clamping Ring for Immediate High-Torque Safety Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for rotatably mounted shaft elements in machine tools lack a simple, space-saving, and cost-effective solution for precise and high-torque clamping, especially in larger rotary axis structures, which requires immediate and reliable safety clamping without delay.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device featuring an elastically deformable annular clamping ring element within an annular housing, utilizing pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to engage and release the shaft element through frictional contact, ensuring torque-proof clamping and automatic safety engagement even in system failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamping devices are used for rotatably mounted shaft elements, then basic clamping function is achieved, but the structure is complex, space-consuming, and costly while failing to provide precise and immediate safety clamping for high torques
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is segmented into functionally independent components: a clamping ring with radially extending clamping elements, a housing with pressure chambers, and a pneumatic/hydraulic actuation system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall complexity while maintaining high reliability for safety clamping under torques exceeding 1000 Nm
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs pneumatic or hydraulic pressure chambers to actuate the clamping mechanism. Pressurized fluid directly transforms into mechanical clamping force through the elastic deformation of the clamping ring, eliminating complex mechanical linkages and providing immediate, reliable safety clamping without time delays
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional clamping devices are used, then basic clamping is achieved, but they lack space-saving design and cost-effectiveness for larger rotary axis structures
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping ring is nested within the annular housing, with pressure chambers positioned radially inward adjacent to the clamping ring. This nested arrangement minimizes the radial footprint of the clamping device, allowing compact integration into larger rotary axis structures while reducing material usage and manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping ring is designed as an elastically deformable component that flexes radially outward under pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. This flexible shell approach replaces rigid mechanical linkages, reducing the number of parts, simplifying manufacturing, and lowering costs while maintaining effective clamping force
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional clamping devices are used, then clamping function is provided, but they cannot guarantee precise clamping without time delay in activation
Solution Approach 1:
Pneumatic or hydraulic pressure provides immediate actuation of the clamping mechanism. The compressible fluid transmits force instantly to the elastic clamping ring, which deforms radially outward to engage the shaft element without mechanical linkages or intermediate steps that would introduce time delays, ensuring precise clamping activation
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping ring transitions between two distinct states: a rest state with radial clearance from the shaft element, and a clamped state where elastic deformation brings clamping elements into frictional engagement. This binary parameter change eliminates gradual transitions and intermediate positions, ensuring precise and immediate clamping activation
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 device provides efficient, quick, and reliable clamping with high torque resistance (over 1000 Nm) in both radial and axial directions, maintaining safety without pressure delays and allowing for easy maintenance and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
application of pressure in the pressure chamber without delays due to elastic deformation of the clamping ring element in the radial outward direction
Implementation Method 2
application of pressure in the pressure chamber without delays due to elastic deformation of the clamping ring element in the radial outward direction
Implementation Method 3
at least one second profile portion which extends transversely to the first profile portion, in particular axially or in the axial direction... application of pressure in the pressure chamber without delays due to elastic deformation of the clamping ring element in the radial outward direction
Implementation Method 4
The rotatably mounted shaft element in a rest state of the clamping ring element can be clamped by frictional engagement with the first profile portion of the clamping ring element protruding toward the shaft element
Data Source
AI summary
A device for clamping a rotatably mounted shaft element including: a housing element having an annular housing portion wherein the shaft extends in the axial direction; an elastically deformable annular clamping ring element arranged in the annular housing portion, wherein the clamping ring has a cross-sectional profile with a first profile portion, extending radially inward and protrudes radially through an annular circumferential opening; and a pressure chamber formed in the annular housing has at least one pressure chamber portion arranged radially on the inner side adjacently to at least one second profile portion of the clamping ring; wherein the rotatably mounted shaft in a rest state clamped by frictional engagement with the first profile of the clamping ring protruding toward the shaft, and wherein the frictional engagement between the shaft and the first profile is releasable, the clamping ring is elastically deformable radially outward by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure chamber.