Vibratory Conveyor Clamp with Resilient Biasing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamps used on vibratory conveyors fail to securely hold objects due to inadequate securing force and are prone to damage from vibratory motion, leading to operational issues and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a base portion with support members, a pivotally attached handle, rotatable clamping portion, and elongated resilient biasing members that deform to securely engage objects, allowing for adjustable force direction and effective positioning on a vibratory conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If prior art clamps are used to secure objects on vibratory conveyors, then the clamp structure is simple, but the securing force is insufficient and the clamp cannot withstand vibratory motion
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into multiple support members (first support member, second support member, etc.) that are spaced apart and individually pivotally attached to the base portion. This segmentation allows each support member to independently engage with the object, distributing the securing force across multiple contact points and enabling the clamp to better withstand vibratory motion while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp employs movable clamp portions that are pivotally attached to support members, allowing the clamp to dynamically adapt to the object's position and the vibratory motion of the conveyor. The handle can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions, and the clamp portions can pivot to maintain contact with the object during vibration, providing both simplicity and adequate securing force.
2Reliability
If prior art clamps are used to secure objects, then the clamp is easy to operate, but the clamp is damaged by vibratory energy
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates resilient biasing members that are biased to urge the clamp portions toward the object. This beforehand cushioning provides a buffer against the impact and vibratory energy from the conveyor, protecting the clamp structure from damage while maintaining ease of operation through the simple handle movement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient biasing members change the force parameter by providing a spring-like cushioning effect that absorbs vibratory energy. The biasing force can be adjusted or selected based on the application requirements, allowing the clamp to withstand varying levels of vibratory motion while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If prior art clamps are used to secure objects, then the clamp can be released, but the vibratory energy imparts adverse motion to the clamp
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient biasing members are pre-biased to urge the clamp portions toward the object, creating a preliminary anti-action that counteracts the adverse motion imparted by vibratory energy during release. This ensures that when the handle is released, the clamp portions remain engaged with the object rather than being thrown off by vibration, while still allowing easy manual release when needed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If screens of varying lengths are positioned on different machines, then adaptability is improved, but positioning accuracy becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is designed with a base portion and multiple support members that can accommodate screens of various lengths and configurations. The movable clamp portions and resilient biasing members allow the same clamp to securely hold different screen types (wire mesh, punch plate, rod screens) on various vibratory conveyor machines, providing universality while maintaining positioning accuracy through the engaged/disengaged handle mechanism.
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 clamp provides a reliable and efficient means to securely position and remove objects on vibratory conveyors, withstanding continuous vibratory motion and allowing for easy maintenance, while ensuring safety and operational integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the distal end of the elongated resilient biasing member resiliently deforms when the elongated, resilient biasing member forcibly engages an adjacent object as force is applied to move the handle along a course of travel
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp is described and which includes a base portion, a handle which is affixed to the base portion, a moveable clamp portion which is individually pivotally attached to the base portion; a pair of force transmitting couplings pivotally attached to the handle, and the movable clamp portion; and an elongated resilient biasing member with a distal end, and which is mounted on the movable clamp portion, and which is further operable to engage an adjacent object of interest and hold it in a given orientation relative to a vibratory conveyor.