Sheet Metal Tool Tongs Eliminate Springs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool tongs in machine tools are laboriously manufactured using cast materials, resulting in high weight, energy consumption, and short lifespan due to spring fatigue, requiring frequent replacements and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
The tool tongs are designed using inherently elastic flat or plate-like materials, such as steel sheet, where the clamping element is fastened to the basic element and deforms elastically for clamping and releasing tools, eliminating the need for springs and complex casting processes, and allowing for simpler machining and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tool tongs are manufactured from cast material, then structural strength is ensured, but manufacturing complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool tongs are divided into two separate elements: a basic element and a clamping element. These elements are manufactured independently and then assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining structural integrity. The basic element provides the foundation structure while the clamping element provides the functional clamping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The material state is changed from cast material to sheet material. This parameter change enables simpler manufacturing processes (cutting, bending, punching) while maintaining the necessary mechanical properties through appropriate material selection and structural design of the sheet metal components.
2Ease of operation
If spring-mounted swiveling mechanism is used, then tool clamping function is achieved, but spring fatigue reduces lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is completely removed from the system. Instead of using a spring-mounted swiveling mechanism, the invention employs a sheet metal-based elastic clamping element that achieves the clamping function through its inherent material elasticity and geometric design, eliminating the reliability issues associated with spring fatigue.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes from an active spring-driven system to a passive elastic deformation system. The clamping force is generated through the elastic deformation of the sheet metal clamping element itself, which naturally returns to its original shape after clamping, providing unlimited cycle life without fatigue accumulation.
3Reliability
If cast material is used for tool tongs, then durability is achieved, but energy consumption and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The material form changes from cast material requiring high-energy casting processes to sheet material that can be processed through lower-energy operations such as cutting, bending, and punching. This parameter change significantly reduces energy consumption during manufacturing while maintaining component durability through appropriate material selection and design.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the tool tongs into separate basic and clamping elements made from sheet material, the manufacturing process becomes more efficient. Each element can be manufactured independently using optimized sheet metal processes, reducing overall manufacturing time and energy consumption compared to producing a single complex cast component.
4Stability of the object's composition
If heavy cast elements are used, then structural stability is ensured, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The material parameter changes from dense cast material to lighter sheet material. This reduction in material density directly decreases the weight of the tool tongs while maintaining structural stability through optimized sheet metal geometry, reinforcement strategies, and appropriate material thickness selection.
Solution Approach 2:
Segmenting the structure into separate basic and clamping elements allows for optimized weight distribution. Each element can be designed with minimal material thickness required for its specific function, eliminating the need for excessive material that would increase overall weight while compromising structural integrity.
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 design reduces manufacturing effort and weight, increases tool tongs flexibility, and extends their lifespan by eliminating spring-related failures, while maintaining reliable tool holding and changing operations without additional drive forces.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic deformation of the tongs clamping element is provided for releasing or clamping of the tool
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to tool tongs for the releasable holding of a tool, for example in a machine tool. The invention is characterized in that the tool tongs are formed by a tongs basic element and a tongs clamping element interacting and connected with the tongs basic element, wherein in the tool holding position the tongs basic element and the tongs clamping element hold the tool clampingly at its gripping elements, wherein the tongs basic element and/or the tongs clamping element is/are formed of flat material or plate-like material, such as, for example, steel sheet or the like.