Sliding Clamp With Rotating Balls For Welding Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps typically lock relative movement in all directions, which is not suitable for applications where movement in one direction is desired while allowing movement in others, such as in welding fixtures where workpieces need to adjust geometry before welding.
Innovation Solution
A sliding clamp design that constrains translation in one direction using clamping pressure from first and second clamping balls while permitting translation in two directions through the rotation of these balls, with features like freely rotating clamping balls, ball bearings, and adjustable jaw mechanisms to minimize friction and allow precise movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional clamps are used to lock relative movement in all directions, then stability and constraint are improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp employs spherical clamping balls that can dynamically adjust their orientation and position. The balls are constrained within spherical sockets that allow them to rotate and shift, enabling the clamp to adapt its constraint characteristics based on the workpiece geometry and desired movement directions, thus achieving both stability and flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping function is segmented into multiple independent spherical clamping balls rather than a single rigid clamping surface. Each ball can independently adjust its position and orientation, allowing different parts of the workpiece to be clamped with different constraint characteristics, providing both overall stability and localized flexibility
2Reliability
If clamping pressure is applied to constrain movement, then constraint reliability is improved, but friction and resistance to desired movement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses spherical clamping balls instead of flat or rigid clamping surfaces. The spherical geometry allows the balls to roll and rotate under applied pressure, converting sliding friction into rolling friction which is significantly lower. This enables reliable constraint forces to be applied while minimizing resistance to the desired translational movement of the workpiece
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical clamping balls act as intermediary elements between the clamp mechanism and the workpiece. These balls can rotate and adjust their orientation to align with the desired movement direction, allowing clamping pressure to be applied perpendicular to the movement direction while permitting smooth movement parallel to the clamping plane
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 precise control over workpiece movement within a clamping plane, allowing translation in desired directions while maintaining constraint in others, enhancing the flexibility and precision in applications like vehicle body welding.
Implementation Method 1
a first set of ball bearings positioned between the first arm and the at least one first clamping ball
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a sliding clamp including a first arm with a first jaw attached to the first arm, and a second arm with a second jaw attached thereto. The first jaw includes at least one first clamping ball freely rotatable relative to the first arm, and the second jaw includes at least one second clamping ball freely rotatable relative to the second arm. The second arm is configured to move relative to the first arm to adjust a jaw opening between the at least one second clamping ball of the second jaw and the at least one first clamping ball of the first jaw. The sliding clamp is configured to constrain a workpiece to a clamping plane while permitting translation of the workpiece within the clamping plane.