Snap-Jaw Vice Assembly for Quick Jaw Insert Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vice assemblies for CNC milling machines lack efficient and effective coupling mechanisms for jaw inserts, leading to repeated use issues and increased compression in multi-directional axes, which compromises their functionality and durability.
Innovation Solution
A snap-jaw vice assembly with a jaw base and spring-biased fasteners that enable quick and secure coupling and decoupling of jaw inserts through a male-female coupling configuration, utilizing guide members and spring-biased fasteners to align and retain jaw members in a spring-biased configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional vice assemblies use traditional screw fasteners to secure jaw inserts, then the jaw inserts can be retained, but the coupling process is time-consuming and repeated use leads to increased compression and wear in multi-directional axes
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate male and female coupling elements. The male coupling element on the jaw insert engages with the female coupling element on the jaw base, allowing for quick attachment and detachment without requiring screw fasteners or complex fastening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transitions from static screw fastening to dynamic snap-fit coupling. The spring-loaded male coupling element can be easily inserted into and removed from the female coupling element, enabling rapid repeated use without the wear and compression issues of traditional screw fasteners.
2Ease of operation
If spring-loaded latching elements are incorporated into the jaw, then quick coupling is enabled, but the latching elements are not conducive to repeated use and increase compression in multi-directional axes
Solution Approach 1:
The latching function is segmented into distinct male and female coupling elements rather than being integrated into the jaw structure itself. This separation allows the coupling elements to be optimized for repeated use without increasing compression on the jaw or workpiece.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded male coupling element acts as an intermediary between the jaw insert and jaw base. It provides the latching function through its engagement with the female coupling element, but does so in a way that avoids direct compression on the jaw structure, enabling repeated use without the drawbacks of integrated latching elements.
3Reliability
If jaw inserts are securely retained with traditional fastening mechanisms, then stability is maintained, but the device complexity increases and quick decoupling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retention function is achieved through segmented male and female coupling elements that engage through simple geometric interlocking rather than complex fastening mechanisms. This segmentation simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining secure retention through the snap-fit action of the coupling elements.
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 snap-jaw vice assembly facilitates rapid and reliable attachment and detachment of jaw inserts, enhancing versatility and reducing wear, while maintaining secure clamping forces for various workpiece shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one member fastener coupled to the jaw base with a spring and a spring fastener
Implementation Method 2
spring-biased retained configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A snap-jaw vice assembly having a jaw base selectively removably couplable to a vice body and having a dovetail portion and at least one member fastener forming a portion of the dovetail portion on the jaw base and including a spring and a spring fastener coupling the at least one member fastener to the jaw base, the assembly also including a first jaw member with a dovetail portion selectively removably and directly coupled to the dovetail portion of the jaw base in a spring-biased retained configuration, wherein the member fastener is configured to apply a downward locking force against the jaw member securing it for utilization on a workbench. The degree of biasing force may be selectively modified by adjusting the spring fastener.