Vice Coupling Bolt for Rapid Jaw Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vices are time-consuming to clamp workpieces due to the limited movement of the front jaw with each revolution of the handle, as the front jaw moves only one pitch of the screw spindle.

Innovation Solution

A vice design featuring a coupling bolt with a semicircular cross-section and an inclined internal thread that allows for quick adjustment of the distance between the jaws, preventing thread loosening under load by engaging with a partial thread, and utilizing a spring element for automatic re-engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the front jaw is moved only one pitch of the screw spindle with each rotation of the handle, then the threaded spindle maintains simple structure and reliable engagement, but the clamping operation becomes very time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping speedVSAvoidtime to clamp workpiece
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling bolt is divided into three functional sections: a semicircular head for manual displacement, a partial thread for engagement with the threaded spindle, and a slot-shaped passage allowing transverse movement. This segmentation enables the bolt to independently perform positioning, engagement, and quick-adjustment functions, resolving the contradiction between simple spindle structure and fast clamping operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling bolt is designed to be displaceable within the rear jaw, transitioning between a locked position (engaged with the threaded spindle) and an unlocked position (disengaged, allowing free movement). This dynamic capability enables rapid adjustment of jaw distance without rotating the spindle, dramatically reducing clamping time while maintaining the simplicity of the original spindle design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the internal thread is designed as a partial thread with semicircular cross-section, then quick adjustment of jaw distance is enabled, but the risk of thread disengagement under load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequick adjustment capabilityVSAvoidthread engagement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling bolt features an asymmetric design with a semicircular cross-section that is inclined at 5° to the orthogonal axis of the threaded spindle. This asymmetric geometry creates a self-centering effect during engagement, ensuring that the partial thread aligns precisely with the threaded spindle even under load, thereby preventing disengagement while maintaining quick adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The slot-shaped passage in the coupling bolt is designed to accommodate transverse movements of the threaded spindle caused by load variations. By providing this preliminary compensation space, the design prevents the partial thread from disengaging under load, maintaining reliable engagement while preserving the quick adjustment function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Productivity

If the coupling bolt is made displaceable at an angle orthogonal to the threaded spindle axis, then rapid positioning is achieved, but transverse movement under load may cause thread skipping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning speedVSAvoidthread engagement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling bolt incorporates a slot-shaped passage that provides freedom of movement in the transverse dimension (orthogonal to the spindle axis). This additional degree of freedom allows the bolt to accommodate transverse displacements without compromising the longitudinal thread engagement, enabling rapid positioning while preventing thread skipping under load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling bolt acts as an intermediary element between the threaded spindle and the rear jaw. Its semicircular head interfaces with the operator for manual positioning, while its inclined partial thread interfaces with the spindle. This intermediary design decouples the positioning function from the engagement function, allowing rapid positioning without sacrificing engagement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 quick and unrestricted movement of the front jaw for precise clamping of workpieces, preventing thread skipping and ensuring stable engagement even under load.

Implementation Method 1

the coupling bolt is preloaded against the threaded spindle via a spring element with the partial thread. This causes the coupling bolt to automatically return to the engagement position of the partial thread with the threaded spindle.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4091769B1Vice
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 BROCKHAUS HEUER GMBH
  • EP4091769B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4091769B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4091769B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6c

AI summary

The invention relates to a vise comprising a fixed rear jaw (1) and a front jaw (2) which is displaceable along a guide relative to the rear jaw (1) via a threaded spindle (3), one end of which, having a lever (4), is rotatably mounted in the front jaw (2), wherein the threaded spindle (3) has an external thread (32) which corresponds to an internal thread arranged on the rear jaw (1), wherein the internal thread is provided in a coupling bolt (6) which is displaceably arranged in the rear jaw (1) at an angle (α) to the orthogonal of the threaded spindle axis and is designed as a partial thread (65) with a semicircular cross-section, which transitions into an elongated opening (64) which is designed such that the threaded spindle (3) can be engaged or disengaged from the partial thread (65) by moving the coupling bolt (6).