Split Base Clamping Device with Segmented Guide Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of precision chucks is complex and requires high precision, which increases production effort and costs.

Innovation Solution

The design includes radially inner and outer guide surfaces on guide grooves and lugs, allowing axial movement of the tensioning piston to convert into radial movement of clamping jaws, with a split base body for simplified production and reduced diameter/length ratio of guide components, and an actuator system using compression springs for precise clamping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If prismatic guide surfaces are used to guide radial movements of clamping jaws, then guiding accuracy is achieved, but production complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding accuracyVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide surface is segmented into two separate components: a guide groove formed on the clamping jaw and a guide surface formed on the clamping piston. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing compared to creating complex prismatic guide surfaces, while still providing accurate radial guidance through the interaction between these two simpler surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing guide surfaces on the clamping jaw that move along a fixed guide structure, the invention inverts the approach by providing a guide groove on the clamping jaw that receives a guide surface on the moving clamping piston. This allows the guiding function to be achieved with simpler manufacturing while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If guide length is increased to improve stability and guiding accuracy, then guiding quality improves, but the diameter/length ratio of guide components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding qualityVSAvoiddiameter/length ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide groove is formed on the radial inside surface of the clamping jaw rather than on the radial outside surface. This dimensional change allows the guide surface interaction to occur closer to the axis of rotation, reducing the effective diameter of the guide component while maintaining sufficient guide length for stability and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 achieves high clamping precision with reduced production complexity and cost, providing stable and accurate guiding while allowing for small clamping diameters and adjustable clamping force.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of compression springs (15), each assigned to one clamping jaw (4), which are supported in a corresponding recess (18) in the base body (1) in such a way that they press the clamping jaws (4) against a workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The clamping piston and the clamping jaws are provided with inclined surfaces that correspond to one another and which interact with one another in such a way that an axial adjustment movement of the clamping piston is converted into corresponding radial movements of the clamping jaws

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP2777849B1Clamping or gripping device
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 SCHUNK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2777849B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2777849B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2777849B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The gripping device has a base portion (1) made of a rigid material, and provided with clamping jaws (4). The partially hollow clamping pistons (3) are fixed with base portion and clamping jaws, and are provided with axial through holes (5) through which the jaws are penetrated. One side surface of the jaw is provided with a guiding groove into which an assigned guide projection of piston is engaged. The guide projection is cooperated with guide surfaces (10a,10b) of the assigned guiding groove to convert axial movements of the clamping piston in radial movements of jaws.