Split-Housing Shaft Clamp With Sensor Feedback for Compact Braking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing braking and/or clamping devices for shafts face challenges in achieving a compact design with few components, while being monitorable, simple, safe, and maintenance-free, especially for large diameters.
Innovation Solution
A two-part braking and/or clamping device with a shaft connection assembly featuring slotted or multi-split ring brake discs and deformation measuring devices to monitor clamping or release positions, utilizing strain gauges and redundant sensor modules for reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a large diameter braking device is designed, then the clamping force increases, but the overall width and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bending plates are nested within the gap housing structure, with the friction surfaces positioned inside the overall device envelope. The shaft connection assembly with slotted ring is nested within the braking device, allowing the clamping force to be generated within a compact width by utilizing the radial space efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from axial clamping (where width would increase with diameter) to radial clamping through the slotted ring structure. The friction surfaces are arranged radially, allowing the clamping force to be generated in the radial dimension while maintaining a compact axial width profile.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used to ensure reliability, then the safety increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module integrates multiple functions into a single component: it monitors the position of the bending plates, detects the operating state (clamped/released), and provides feedback for safety monitoring. This merging of sensing and monitoring functions reduces the number of separate components while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap housing serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework, contains the pressure medium for actuation, supports the bending plates, and houses the sensor module. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while ensuring reliable operation through integrated design.
3Device complexity
If a compact design with few components is implemented, then the device simplicity increases, but the monitorability of operating state decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module continuously monitors the position of the bending plates and provides feedback signals about the operating state (clamped, released, or intermediate positions). This feedback mechanism enables full monitorability of the braking device's state without adding complex components, as the sensor integrates seamlessly into the existing structure.
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 solution enables a compact, reliable, and maintenance-free braking and/or clamping mechanism that effectively manages large diameters with fewer components, ensuring safe operation and early detection of potential failures through monitoring and redundancy.
Implementation Method 1
Each deformation measuring device has a strain gauge whose resistance changes with deformation
Implementation Method 2
a sealed pressure chamber, which can be filled with a pressure medium to elastically press the friction surfaces apart
Implementation Method 3
a gap housing having an attachment zone and a bending zone, which can be elastically buckled in some areas
Implementation Method 4
the friction surfaces of the actuating assembly are in contact with the friction surfaces of the shaft connection assembly, providing the clamping and/or braking force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a braking and/or clamping device for a shaft guided in relation to a main body, comprising an actuation assembly (10) and a shaft-coupling assembly (80), the actuation assembly having a split housing (11) that has a mounting zone and two bending plates which can buckle elastically in certain regions. At least one elasticity meter is mounted in the transition region between the mounting zone and the bending zone. The bending plates each have gripper jaws with frictional surfaces. A sealed pressure chamber, which can be filled with a pressure medium, is situated between the bending plates. Parts of a shaft-coupling assembly project between the clamping zones (22), said parts establishing the connection to the braked or clamped shaft. When the pressure in the pressure chamber is relieved, the frictional surfaces of the actuation assembly can be applied to the frictional surfaces of the shaft-coupling assembly, thereby providing the braking and/or clamping force.