Snap-Latch Spring Holder for Replaceable Workpiece Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spring holders and workpiece carriers face challenges with manual detachment, micro-weld formation during cleaning, and costly repairs due to welded connections, leading to operational delays and damage risks.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an elastically deformable spring holder with a latching and clamping arrangement that allows for quick attachment and detachment from the workpiece carrier, featuring a snap connection and clamping tab design to prevent micro-welding and facilitate easy replacement, utilizing materials like austenitic steel for high formability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spring holders are firmly connected to the workpiece carrier through welding, then the connection strength and stability are improved, but the ease of detachment and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring holder is divided into separate components: a base plate that attaches to the workpiece carrier, and spring elements that provide clamping force. This segmentation allows the base plate to be firmly attached while the spring elements remain replaceable without replacing the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements provide dynamic, elastic connection rather than rigid welding. The elastic deformability allows the spring holders to be easily detached by deforming the spring elements, converting a static strong connection into a dynamic easily-releaseable one.
2Reliability
If spring holders are welded to the workpiece carrier, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the ease of repair and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the base plate from the spring elements, the design allows only the spring elements to be replaced when damaged, rather than requiring replacement of the entire welded assembly. This significantly reduces repair time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements are designed as inexpensive, easily replaceable components. When a spring holder becomes damaged or worn, only the spring elements need to be replaced rather than the entire assembly, reducing maintenance costs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spring holders are firmly connected to the workpiece carrier, then the stability during processing is improved, but the productivity due to operational delays deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic connection provides sufficient stability during processing while allowing rapid attachment and detachment. The spring elements maintain firm contact with workpieces during treatment but can be quickly released by simple deformation, eliminating lengthy repair operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for quick discarding of damaged spring elements and recovery by installing new ones without affecting the workpiece carrier or other components, minimizing operational interruptions.
4Strength
If spring holders are welded to the workpiece carrier, then the structural integrity is improved, but the harmful factors from micro-weld formation during cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are extracted from the welded structure and made as separate, non-welded components. This eliminates the source of micro-weld formation during ultrasonic cleaning, as the spring elements can be removed before cleaning or designed to not contact the workpiece carrier surface during cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate acts as an intermediary between the spring elements and the workpiece carrier. It provides the structural connection while the spring elements remain separate, preventing direct contact and potential micro-welding between spring holders and the workpiece carrier during cleaning.
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 solution enables rapid and cost-effective installation and removal of spring holders, reduces micro-weld formation during cleaning, and minimizes damage to both the spring holders and workpiece carriers, thereby reducing operational delays and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient tab (121) is elastically deformable
Implementation Method 2
At least two clamping regions (134) are arranged in such a way that in each case one fastening area (302) of a workpiece (300) is held by the clamping region with a clamping face (301) facing the respective clamping region in the clamping position with elastic deformation of the clamping tab
Data Source
AI summary
A spring holder having an elastically deformable latching arrangement and an elastically deformable clamping arrangement; wherein the spring holder is able to be latchingly coupled to a workpiece carrier via the latching arrangement; and the clamping arrangement has an elastically deformable clamping tab, via which, in a clamping position, a retaining force is able to be exerted on a workpiece via a clamping region when the spring holder is coupled to the workpiece carrier, such that the workpiece is able to be frictionally coupled to the spring holder via a clamping face bearing on the clamping region and thus is able to be removably fixed to the workpiece carrier.