Low-Profile Spring Clamp for Rapid Workpiece Fixturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-duty workpiece clamps are inefficient due to time-consuming setup and teardown, restricted access, need for hand tools, high cost, limited scalability, incompatibility with standard fixture plates, and material restrictions, which hinder effective workpiece inspection and manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A novel adjustable, low-profile workpiece clamp with a spring action that allows quick workpiece replacement, eliminates the need for hand tools, and can be scaled to various sizes, used with standard fixture plates, and manufactured from materials like plastic or metal, featuring a cantilever or leaf spring design with supplemental structures for enhanced gripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing light-duty workpiece clamps are used, then the workpiece can be secured to the fixture plate, but the set-up and take-down process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates a spring-loaded mechanism that dynamically adjusts to apply clamping force automatically when the clamp is positioned against the workpiece, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during set-up and enabling rapid take-down by simply releasing the clamp
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides self-actuating clamping action that automatically engages when the clamp is placed against the workpiece, requiring no manual intervention for force application, and allows automatic release when removed, thereby reducing both set-up and take-down time while maintaining secure holding
2Reliability
If existing light-duty workpiece clamps are used, then the workpiece can be held stationary, but access to the workpiece is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with a low-profile structure that minimizes vertical height, allowing inspection tools and operators to access the workpiece from multiple angles and directions, thereby maintaining workpiece stationarity while improving accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp body is segmented into compact components including a flat base plate and a low-profile clamping mechanism, allowing the clamp to fit into tight spaces around the workpiece without obstructing access paths while still providing effective securing force
3Reliability
If existing light-duty workpiece clamps are used, then the workpiece can be secured, but hand tools are needed for removal or insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded mechanism automatically generates and maintains clamping force without requiring manual intervention or hand tools for adjustment, and the clamp can be quickly released by simply removing it from the workpiece, enabling tool-free operation while maintaining secure holding
Solution Approach 2:
The manual adjustment mechanism and hand tool interfaces have been extracted from the clamp design, replaced by an automatic spring-actuated system that eliminates the need for external tools during both installation and removal operations
4Reliability
If existing light-duty workpiece clamps are used, then the workpiece can be held securely, but the clamp design is complex and costly to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp integrates the spring mechanism, clamping surfaces, and mounting features into a single unified component structure, reducing the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing cost while maintaining secure workpiece holding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed with universal features including a standardized base plate that interfaces with common fixture plates, adjustable spring tension to accommodate different workpiece sizes and materials, and multiple clamping configurations, allowing a single design to serve multiple applications and reducing the need for specialized components
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 clamp facilitates faster inspection processes, provides greater access to the workpiece, reduces manufacturing costs, and can be easily integrated into existing setups, addressing the principles of Lean manufacturing by minimizing non-value-added steps in workpiece inspection.
Implementation Method 1
a spring edge (25) configured to engage the workpiece
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention is directed at a workpiece clamp including a body; a workpiece-engaging spring edge connected to the body; and an opening for accepting a screw for securing the body to a fixture plate. The workpiece clamp further provides the workpiece-engaging spring edge includes a cantilever spring and an arm which is connected to the body by a neck.