Tube Holder Clamping Structure for Variable Tube Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tube holders require separate designs for each tube shape and size, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to tight dimensional tolerances, and struggle to securely hold tubes of different diameters.
Innovation Solution
A tube holder design featuring two groups of pivotably mounted clamping elements with convex, curved clamping surfaces and a common spring mechanism, allowing for adjustable clamping forces and secure holding of tubes of varying diameters through synchronized movement and adaptive contouring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single tube holder design is used for multiple tube diameters, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to tight dimensional tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping elements are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adjust their position dynamically. Each clamping element can pivot about a horizontal axis and move radially inward/outward to adapt to different tube diameters, enabling a single holder design to accommodate multiple tube sizes without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force and position parameters are made variable through the spring elements and pivotal mounting. The spring elements provide adjustable clamping force that can accommodate variations in tube diameter, while the pivotal mounting allows the clamping elements to change their radial position to match different tube sizes
2Manufacturing precision
If separate tube holders are designed for each tube size, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tube holder is designed with universal clamping elements that can accommodate multiple tube diameters. The combination of pivotal mounting and spring elements creates a multi-functional clamping system that can adapt to different tube sizes, eliminating the need for separate holder designs for each tube dimension
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping function is segmented into multiple independent clamping elements rather than a single fixed structure. Each clamping element can independently adjust to the tube diameter, allowing the system to handle various tube sizes with a single holder design
3Device complexity
If fixed clamping elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different tube diameters is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping elements transition from a fixed structure to a dynamic system with pivotal mounting. This allows the clamping elements to move and adapt their position radially to accommodate different tube diameters, significantly increasing the adaptability range while maintaining relatively simple device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements provide self-adjusting clamping force that automatically adapts to different tube diameters. When a tube is inserted, the spring elements automatically compress and exert the appropriate clamping force, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms
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
Enables secure and reliable holding of tubes with different diameters, reducing the need for multiple holder designs and minimizing rework, while maintaining consistent clamping forces across varying diameters.
Implementation Method 1
Each clamping element is adjustable perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the tube receptacle and is acted upon by the spring element radially inwards in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the tube receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the clamping elements are each pivotally mounted in a swivel bearing about a horizontally extending pivot axis
Implementation Method 3
the clamping elements are displaced against the spring force, thereby exerting a clamping force on the tube and thus increasing the frictional force
Data Source
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AI summary
A tube holder for a tube filling machine has a housing (1) with an upwardly opening tube receptacle (12) into which a tube (T) can be inserted with one end. Several clamping elements (14) are arranged in the tube receptacle (12), each of which can be brought into contact with an outer wall of the tube via a clamping surface (15). These clamping elements, acting radially from the outside on the inserted tube, are acted upon by at least one spring element (16). The clamping elements (14) are each pivotally mounted in a pivot bearing (20) about a horizontally extending pivot axis (18). Below the first group of pivot elements, further clamping elements (14a) are arranged at axial intervals. These are distributed around the circumference of the tube receptacle (12) and form a second group of clamping elements, which are acted upon by the spring element (16) and/or at least one further spring element (16a).The clamping surface of at least some clamping elements (14) and/or at least some further clamping elements (14a) has, at least in sections, a contour that is convex in the direction of a longitudinal central axis of the tube receptacle and curved about a horizontal axis.