Tool Clamping Fixture With Direction-Dependent Return Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tool clamping devices in machining tools face challenges in providing high operating comfort due to excessive snapping back of the operating unit after a clamping process, leading to reduced convenience and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a return damping unit with a specially designed return damping element, such as a torsion spring or wedge element, that generates friction torques of different magnitudes in opposite directions of movement, effectively damping the return movement and preventing the operating unit from snapping back into its starting position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a return damping unit is provided to dampen the return movement of the operating unit, then operating comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating comfortVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The return damping element is integrated into the transmission element of the operating unit, combining the damping function with the existing transmission mechanism. This merging approach adds the damping capability without requiring a completely separate damping mechanism, thus improving operating comfort while limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A return damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the operating unit and the clamping unit. This intermediary element provides the damping effect during return movement without fundamentally altering the existing clamping mechanism, allowing improved operating comfort with minimal impact on overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If friction torque is increased in the clamping direction to prevent snapping back, then reliability is improved, but the force required to actuate the operating unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of snapping backVSAvoidforce required for actuation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The return damping element is designed to provide direction-dependent friction torque, where the damping effect is activated during return movement but does not significantly impede the forward clamping motion. This dynamic behavior ensures reliability by preventing snapping back while maintaining acceptable actuation force through selective damping application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The damping effect is applied locally to the return movement phase rather than continuously during all operations. The return damping element engages specifically when the operating unit returns to its starting position, providing the necessary friction torque to prevent snapping back without increasing the force required for the primary clamping function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a return damping element is arranged on the transmission element, then the return movement is effectively damped, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The return damping element is integrated directly into the transmission element of the operating unit, combining two functional components into one. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts and assembly steps, thereby improving damping effectiveness while actually simplifying or maintaining ease of manufacture rather than increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enhances operating comfort by significantly increasing the friction torque in the clamping direction compared to the release direction, thereby preventing unwanted return movements and improving the overall operating convenience of the tool clamping device.

Implementation Method 1

the return damping unit be provided to generate friction torques of different magnitudes in opposite directions of movement of the operating unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2668006B1Tool clamping fixture
Publication Date: 2017.11.01 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2668006B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2668006B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2668006B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a tool clamping fixture, in particular an oscillation tool clamping fixture, having at least one clamping unit (12a, 12b; 12c) for fixedly clamping a machining tool (14a; 14b; 14c) in an axial direction (16a; 16b; 16c), at least one operating unit (18a, 18b; 18c) for actuating the clamping unit (12a; 12b; 12c) and at least one return damping unit (20a; 20b; 20c) provided for at least damping a return motion of the operating unit (18a; 18b; 18c). According to the invention, the return damping unit (20a; 20b; 20c) is provided for generating friction torques of different magnitudes in opposite directions of motion (22a, 24a; 22b, 24b; 22c, 24c) of the operator unit (18a; 18b; 18c).