Twin Clamp Gearing for Centered Clamping of Different Pipe Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing twin clamps struggle to securely clamp two elongate profile segments of different diameters simultaneously, leading to inconsistent machining due to misalignment of machining heads, as the relative position of the pipes' center axes is dependent on their diameters, causing one pipe to be loosely clamped while the other is securely held.
Innovation Solution
A twin clamp with differential and synchronous gearings that allow for precise alignment of the center axes of the profile segments, independent of their diameters, ensuring that both segments are securely clamped and maintained in a centric position relative to the machining heads, enabling symmetrical machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid twin clamp is used to clamp two pipe sections simultaneously, then the structure is simple and stable, but the clamp cannot adapt to different pipe diameters, resulting in one pipe being securely clamped while the other is loosely clamped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastic clamping elements that can dynamically adjust their position to accommodate different pipe diameters. The clamping mechanism includes movable clamping jaws with elastic deformation capability, allowing the clamp to adapt its internal dimensions to securely hold pipes of varying sizes while maintaining stable clamping force
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs elastic deformation of clamping components to change the physical parameters (dimensions) of the clamping structure. The elastic elements can deform to match different pipe diameters, transforming the rigid structure into a flexible one that adapts to varying workpiece sizes while maintaining secure clamping
2Adaptability or versatility
If the relative position of center axes is dependent on pipe diameter, then the clamp can adapt to different sizes, but the machining heads cannot be precisely aligned with the center axes, resulting in elliptical profiles instead of circular chamfers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces centering elements as intermediaries between the clamping mechanism and the workpiece. These centering elements ensure that the center axes of pipes with different diameters always align with the predetermined positions of the machining heads, acting as a mediator that decouples the adaptability function from the alignment function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the clamping and centering functions into separate modular components. The clamping jaws handle the adaptability to different diameters, while separate centering elements ensure precise alignment of center axes with machining head positions, allowing each function to be optimized independently
3Adaptability or versatility
If elastic compensation is introduced to accommodate different pipe diameters, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional elastic components and adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses elastic clamping elements with flexible properties to accommodate different pipe diameters. These elastic elements provide the necessary adaptability through their inherent flexibility, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic clamping elements automatically adjust to different pipe diameters through their own elastic deformation properties, without requiring external control systems or complex adjustment mechanisms. The system serves itself by utilizing the natural elastic behavior of the materials to achieve adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
A twin clamp, comprising two receptacles (61, 62), each of which has two movable clamping jaws (611, 612, 621, 622) and by means of each of which an elongate profile segment (71, 72) having a circular cross-section can be clamped in the contact section, each elongate profile segment having a centre axis (D71, D72) and an outside diameter, wherein two clamping jaws (611, 612, 621, 622) of different receptacles (61, 62) are coupled to one another via a respective differential gearing (41, 42) and two clamping jaws (611, 612, 621, 622) of the same receptacle (61, 62) are coupled to one another via a synchronous gearing (51, 52) and the position of the centre axes (D71, D72) of the clamped elongate profile segments (71, 72) is independent of the size of the outside diameters of the elongate profile segments (71, 72).