Vice Guide Track Sealing Against Chip and Lubricant Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clamping fixtures in machine tools face reduced clamping force and potential jamming due to contamination from chips and lubricants entering air gaps between base jaws and guide tracks, impairing sliding properties.
Innovation Solution
Sealing these air gaps with a two-part seal system comprising an elastic material like rubber or PU foam and a flexurally rigid support strip, which is secured by fastening screws or clamping wedges, preventing penetration of extraneous materials and maintaining consistent sliding friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If base jaws are mounted in an axially movable arrangement in a guide track, then the clamping fixture can effectively clamp workpieces, but extraneous materials like chips and lubricants can penetrate into the air gaps between the base jaw and guide track, impairing sliding properties and reducing clamping force
Solution Approach 1:
A seal element is introduced as an intermediary component between the base jaw and the guide track housing. This seal element prevents extraneous materials (chips, lubricants) from penetrating into the air gaps while allowing the base jaw to move axially along the guide track. The seal element acts as a mediator that maintains the functional movement while blocking harmful contamination paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element is designed as a flexible component that can deform to accommodate the axial movement of the base jaw while maintaining continuous contact with both the base jaw and the guide track housing. This flexible sealing structure effectively blocks the penetration of extraneous materials into the air gaps throughout the operational range of motion.
2Reliability
If seals are inserted in air gaps to prevent contamination, then sliding properties are maintained, but the device complexity increases due to additional seal elements and support strips
Solution Approach 1:
The seal element and support strip are combined into a single integrated component. The support strip serves as both the mounting structure for the seal element and part of the sealing system itself. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall assembly process while maintaining effective sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The support strip performs multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seal element, serves as a mounting component that can be locked by fastening screws or clamping wedges, and contributes to the overall sealing system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing device complexity.
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 seal system effectively prevents contamination, ensuring consistent sliding properties and prolonged operational reliability by keeping the base jaws moving smoothly along the guide track, even under external forces, and allows for easy replacement of seals and base jaws.
Implementation Method 1
a two-part body comprising an elastic seal made of rubber, plastic or a rubber/plastic blend, for example, especially a PU foam
Implementation Method 2
the base jaw can be moved along the guide track with a constant level of sliding friction
Data Source
AI summary
In a clamping fixture 1, in particular a vice, with a housing (2) in which a guide track (10) is provided and with at least one base jaw (3, 4) to each of which a clamping jaw (6, 7) can be attached, the cavities or air gaps (21) between the inner wall of the guide grooves (10) and the base jaws (3, 4) should be completely covered.This is achieved in that a seal (11) is inserted into each of the air gaps (21) existing in the housing 2 between the base jaw (3, 4) and the inner wall of the guide track (10) as well as in the parting plane between the base jaws (6, 4) and at the face ends (16) in the area of the guide track (10) running there, and that the particular seal (11) is held in a specified position by means of a support strip (12).