Sliding Wedge Transmission for High Clamping Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for braking, clamping, or gripping face challenges in achieving high clamping forces with a small drive stroke while maintaining a simple, space-saving, and low-maintenance design.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a sliding wedge mechanism with a follower wedge and a drive wedge, where the first spline gear has a small gear ratio for a pure infeed movement, and the second gear has a gear ratio at least 33% higher to generate large clamping forces, both actuated by a single drive, utilizing different spline gears with varying wedge angles to amplify the drive force through sliding friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drive actuates both spline gears, then the device complexity is reduced and space is saved, but the drive stroke must be sufficient to accommodate both gear ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into two distinct spline gears with different gear ratios (first gear ratio i1 and second gear ratio i2, where i2 ≥ 1.33 × i1). Each spline gear handles a specific stage of force amplification, allowing the single drive to achieve both infeed movement and high clamping force generation without requiring excessive stroke length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges the two spline gears in a spatial configuration where they share a common drive input but operate at different mechanical advantage levels. This dimensional arrangement allows the drive force to be transmitted through different transmission paths, effectively multiplying force while maintaining compact stroke dimensions.
2Force
If the second spline gear has a gear ratio at least 33% higher than the first, then large clamping forces are generated, but the drive stroke required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force amplification process is segmented into two stages: the first spline gear provides initial force multiplication for infeed movement, while the second spline gear with at least 33% higher gear ratio delivers the final high clamping force. This segmentation allows each stage to operate optimally within limited stroke constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between two transmission ratios during operation. The variable transmission ratio mechanism allows the drive to utilize the lower gear ratio for positioning/infeed and the higher gear ratio for force application, optimizing both stroke efficiency and force generation.
3Volume of moving object
If sliding wedge mechanisms are used, then compact design is achieved, but friction losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rolling elements (such as ball bearings or roller elements) are introduced as intermediary components between the sliding wedge surfaces. These rolling elements mediate the force transmission, converting sliding friction into rolling friction and significantly reducing energy losses while maintaining the compact wedge geometry.
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 ensures a significant holding force of at least 680 N with a small drive force of 60 N, providing effective braking, clamping, or gripping with minimal play, and is designed for low maintenance and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
The follower wedge is spring-loaded against the housing in the direction of the wedge
Implementation Method 2
The drive wedge contacts the follower wedge directly or via at least one rolling element guided in a cage
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for braking, clamping, or gripping, comprising a drive that produces a reciprocating motion, wherein the drive comprises a drive device and two sliding wedge transmissions (70, 100) arranged in a housing (10) and wherein the first sliding wedge transmission (70) has a displacement transmission that is smaller than the displacement transmission of the second sliding wedge transmission (100). The first sliding wedge transmission (70) comprises a following wedge (71) and an angled pressure piece (81). The second sliding wedge transmission (100) comprises a driving wedge (101) that can be moved between a support element (85) and the following wedge(71) in the wedging direction (4). During the relative motion of the following wedge (71) and the angled pressure piece (81), the stroke of the following wedge (71) is limited by a stop (104) arranged on the driving wedge (101). By means of the present invention, a device is developed that has a simple and space-saving construction and that is also low-maintenance over the long term while having a small drive stroke and large clamping forces.