Vacuum Fixing Platform for Stable Clamping of Flexible Flat Pieces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices for flexible flat cables or flexible printed circuit boards face challenges in securely clamping these flexible pieces without manual intervention, as they tend to move during the clamping process, leading to wrinkles, warping, or deflection.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a support platform featuring a vacuum chamber and multiple vacuum suction holes to securely hold the flexible flat piece in place, preventing movement during clamping by the fixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual holding is used to prevent movement during clamping, then positioning accuracy is improved, but labor intensity increases and operation complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical holding system with an automated vacuum suction system. The vacuum chamber generates negative pressure to automatically secure the flexible flat piece on the support platform, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining positioning accuracy throughout the clamping process.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum suction system enables the flexible flat piece to self-secure onto the support platform through atmospheric pressure differential. The piece automatically adheres to the platform surface when vacuum is applied, without requiring external manual holding or additional clamping mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual holding is used to prevent movement during clamping, then positioning accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual holding operation is replaced by an automated vacuum suction system that can quickly secure and release multiple pieces sequentially. This automation eliminates the time-consuming manual intervention while maintaining consistent positioning accuracy, thereby increasing overall production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum chamber is pre-configured with suction holes in strategic locations to anticipate and prevent movement before clamping begins. The flexible flat piece is secured in the correct position in advance, allowing the clamping operation to proceed without interruption or readjustment.
3Device complexity
If conventional clamping is used without vacuum support, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision worsens due to wrinkles and warping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vacuum pneumatic system with a vacuum chamber and suction holes to provide uniform distributed support across the flexible flat piece surface. This pneumatic support prevents localized stress concentrations that cause wrinkles and warping, maintaining surface flatness without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the support parameter from discrete mechanical contact points to continuous distributed vacuum pressure. This parameter change allows the flexible flat piece to be held firmly across its entire surface area, preventing deformation while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
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 vacuum-based fixing device effectively prevents movement and distortion of flexible flat pieces during clamping, eliminating the need for manual holding and reducing the likelihood of wrinkles or warping.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum chamber is formed in the support platform, and multiple vacuum suction holes are formed in the top wall of the vacuum chamber. The vacuum suction holes are used to secure the flexible flat piece on the top surface of the support platform
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device adapted to fix a flexible flat piece comprises a support platform adapted to support the flexible flat piece and a fixture adapted to clamp the flexible flat piece onto the support platform. The support platform includes a vacuum chamber formed therein having multiple vacuum suction holes formed in the top wall of the vacuum chamber. The vacuum suction holes are adapted to secure the flexible flat piece on the top surface of the support platform to prevent the flexible flat piece from being moved as it is clamped by the fixture.