Synchronous Clamping Head for Wide-Range Jaw Force Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamping devices face challenges in managing large load forces and wide clamping ranges, particularly when clamping workpieces with varying diameters, as they require complex construction and limited adjustability of clamping forces, and existing solutions either restrict clamping force adjustment or lose the ability to determine the clamping position after decoupling.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a central wheel that is synchronously driven with the recording head, using either a rigid drive connection or a superposition gear, allowing for adjustable clamping forces and radial displacement of clamping jaws, along with the use of expanding jaws for hollow workpieces to prevent deformation, and a spindle drive with favorable gear ratios for efficient force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional chucks with radially displaceable clamping jaws are used, then the clamping range can be adjusted, but the construction becomes complex with separate frames and deflection levers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the clamping jaw support directly into the receiving head housing, eliminating separate frames. The clamping jaws are guided directly in the housing (1) rather than in separate frames, which simplifies the overall construction while maintaining the ability to adjust the clamping range for different workpiece diameters.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locking device is used to fix the central wheel to the recording head, then the clamping position is maintained, but the clamping force cannot be adjusted or checked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a clutch mechanism (23) that allows the central wheel (12) to be selectively coupled or decoupled from the drive connection. When coupled, the clamping force can be adjusted; when decoupled, the clamping position is maintained stable. This dynamic switching capability resolves the contradiction between stability and adjustability.
3Productivity
If the recording head is driven at high speed, then productivity increases, but the clamping jaws may lose synchronization with the workpiece
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a synchronous drive mechanism with a clutch that maintains the angular position relationship between the central wheel and the recording head. The clutch ensures that even at high speeds, the clamping jaws remain synchronized with the workpiece by allowing selective engagement and disengagement of the drive connection, preventing loss of synchronization.
4Force
If hollow workpieces are clamped externally, then the clamping force is applied, but the workpiece may be pressed in or deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs expanding jaws (24) that can be actuated to press against the inner surface of hollow workpieces. These expanding jaws provide a counteracting force from the inside that prevents the workpiece from being pressed in or deformed by the external clamping force applied by the clamping jaws (7).
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 design enables precise control and adjustment of clamping forces over a wide range, ensuring secure clamping without deformation of hollow workpieces, while simplifying the construction and operation of the clamping device.
Implementation Method 1
The spindles can be driven via an angular gear, the drive shaft of which carries a gear which meshes with a central wheel
Implementation Method 2
a linear drive 8 designed as a spindle drive
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for clamping a workpiece with a receiving head (1), which is rotatably mounted in a housing (3) and which is connected to a rotary drive by means of a rigid drive connection between a drive motor (4) and the receiving head (1), comprising clamping jaws (7), which are radially adjustable in the receiving head (1) and are connected to a clamping drive in order to externally clamp the workpiece, and comprising linear drives (8), which move the clamping jaws (7), form the clamping drive and, by means of a separate drive motor (13), can be driven jointly by a toothed transmission having a central gearwheel (12) coaxial with the drive shaft (2) of the receiving head (1). In order to create advantageous design conditions it is proposed that the central gearwheel (12) be drivable synchronously with the receiving head (1) in the clamping position of the clamping jaws (7), wherein the rotary drive for the central gearwheel (12) has either a rigid drive connection between the drive motor (13) thereof and the central gearwheel (12) or a transmission (16), which besides the output shaft (17) also comprises two input shafts (18, 19) for driving the central gearwheel (12), which input shafts are drivingly connected on the one hand to the drive motor (4) for the rotary drive of the receiving head (1) and on the other hand to the drive motor (13) for the central gearwheel (12).