Sphere Adapter Clamp With Cam Release and Secure Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamps do not allow for complete removal of adapters during non-use, leading to potential damage to the clamp and adapter during storage.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a body with a pivot member, cam cylinder, plunger, and lever that securely engages and disengages a sphere of an adapter using a cam mechanism, allowing for easy removal and secure locking, with resilient members to accommodate different sizes and a locking assembly for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamps are used to hold adapters, then the adapter remains secured during use, but the adapter cannot be completely removed during non-use, leading to potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp transitions from a static holding state to a dynamic release state through lever actuation. The cam mechanism dynamically changes the plunger position, enabling the adapter to be securely held during use and completely removed during non-use, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger acts as an intermediary element between the clamp body and the adapter sphere. By moving the plunger through the cam mechanism, the adapter can be gradually released from the cavity, enabling complete removal without damage while maintaining secure attachment during use.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the clamp holds the adapter securely, then stability is improved, but the adapter cannot be easily detached and reattached
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism provides dynamic control over the plunger position, allowing the clamp to maintain stable holding force during use while enabling easy detachment through lever actuation. The cam surface geometry provides progressive release, making detachment and reattachment operations simple and controlled.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the clamp design includes complete removal capability, then damage prevention is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is segmented into distinct functional components: body, pivot member, cam cylinder, plunger, and lever. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in the removal process, enabling complete adapter removal while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger serves as an intermediary that mediates between the cam mechanism and the adapter sphere. This intermediary element enables controlled release and complete removal of the adapter, preventing damage while adding only minimal complexity to the overall mechanism.
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 secure attachment and complete removal of adapters, preventing damage during non-use and storage by ensuring the adapter can be easily detached and reattached without causing harm to the clamp or adapter.
Implementation Method 1
a cam surface cams the plunger in a first plunger direction such that the plunger engages the sphere and the sphere is compressed between the plunger and the sidewall
Implementation Method 2
A resilient member is positioned in the cam cylinder and extends between the pivot sleeve and the lever such that the resilient member is configured to resiliently bias the plunger against the sphere
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp for releasably clamping onto a sphere of an adapter includes a body having a passageway, a cutout, and a cavity. The cavity positioned between the passageway and the cutout and configured to receive the sphere. A plunger is movably positioned in the passageway and configured to move the sphere. A lever is coupled to the body, and pivoting the lever causes the plunger to move in a first direction toward the cavity such that the plunger moves the sphere in the first direction. A resilient member in the cutout is configured to bias the sphere in a second direction opposite the first direction such that the sphere is secured in the cavity between the plunger and the resilient member.