Vise Drive Spindle Thread Sealing and Self-Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices face issues with thread contamination and blockage due to cooling or lubricating fluids and chips during machining, requiring time-consuming retooling and limiting the ability to clamp workpieces of different sizes simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a drive spindle with right-hand and left-hand threads, encapsulated by a cover sleeve with matching internal and external threads, ensures the threads remain sealed and independent of base jaw position, allowing for self-centering clamping of workpieces of varying sizes without complex retooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the threads of the drive spindle are left exposed for thread engagement, then the clamping device can be adjusted to different positions, but the threads become contaminated by cooling or lubricating fluids and chips, leading to seizing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing cover sleeves inside the housing that extend over the drive spindle threads. These cover sleeves are positioned within the housing structure, creating a nested configuration where the protective cover is housed within the main device housing, thereby protecting the threads from contaminants while maintaining adjustability
Solution Approach 2:
The cover sleeves act as intermediary elements between the drive spindle threads and the external environment. These sleeves mediate by providing a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between contaminants (cooling fluids, lubricating fluids, chips) and the thread surfaces, while still allowing the threading function to operate
2Length of moving object
If base jaws are positioned extremely far out or far in relation to the housing and its central axis, then the adjustment range is increased, but one or more threads remain exposed allowing contaminants or chips to penetrate them
Solution Approach 1:
The cover sleeves are nested within the housing structure and extend along the drive spindle to provide continuous protection. The nesting configuration ensures that even when base jaws are positioned at extreme distances, the threads remain enclosed within the protective cover sleeves, preventing contaminant penetration regardless of jaw position
3Adaptability or versatility
If retooling is performed to adjust for workpieces of different sizes, then the clamping device can accommodate different geometries, but time-consuming retooling and recalibration are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a fixed-position drive spindle with threads that remain constantly engaged with the base jaws across the entire adjustment range. This universal threading system eliminates the need for retooling when changing workpiece sizes, as the same threaded connection accommodates all positioning requirements, thereby reducing adjustment time while maintaining versatility
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
This solution prevents thread contamination, enables quick adjustment for different workpiece sizes, and allows for simultaneous clamping of multiple workpieces of different dimensions without the need for extensive recalibration, enhancing the clamping device's repeatability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The drive spindle has a thread for each jaw that engages with an internal thread machined into the jaw. This allows the jaws to move axially along the housing's longitudinal axis when the drive spindle is rotated
Data Source
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AI summary
In a clamping device (1), in particular a vise, - with a housing (2) having a U-shaped cross-section in which one or two linear guide tracks (8) are incorporated, - with at least one base jaw (11) mounted in the guide track (8) in which an internal thread (12) is provided, - and with a drive spindle (9) rotatably mounted in the respective housing (2), which is arranged parallel to the guide track (8) and is drivenly coupled to the respective base jaw (11), the threads (10) incorporated on the drive spindle (9), through which the torques from the crank are transmitted for the linear displacement of the base jaws (11), are intended to be independent of the position of the base jaws (11) orthe drive spindle (9) is permanently encapsulated in a watertight and airtight manner, and secondly, the adjustment travel (Δs) of the base jaws (11) or clamping jaws (13) is dimensioned as large as possible in order to clamp workpieces whose designs may be completely different without requiring time-consuming and complicated changeover measures. This is achieved by having a right-hand and a left-hand thread (10) machined onto the drive spindle (9) in certain areas, by having the respective thread (10) of the drive spindle (9) closed or encapsulated by a cover sleeve (21), by having the cover sleeve (21) having a right-hand and a left-hand internal thread (22) which are drive-coupled with the respective thread (10) of the drive spindle (9), and by having a right-hand and a left-hand external thread (23) machined onto the cover sleeve (21) which engages with the respective internal thread (12) of the base jaw (11).