Piezoelectric clamping device
AssigneesCredo Technology Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
InventorsHarald Krondorfer, Roland Hund, Alexandre Maciel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamping apparatus has been developed for coupling a tool member to the output shaft of a power tool without the use of auxiliary hands tools or a shaft-lock lever. The clamping apparatus includes a clamp member and a piezoelectric element. The clamp member is coupled to an output shaft of a motor. The piezoelectric element opposes the first clamp member and is configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to being coupled to a source of electrical energy.
Claims20
A clamping apparatus for coupling a tool member to an output shaft of a power tool, the clamping apparatus comprising:
- a clamp member coupled to an output shaft;
- and
- a piezoelectric element opposing the first clamp member, the piezoelectric element configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to being coupled to a source of electrical energy.
A clamping apparatus for coupling a tool member to a power tool, comprising:
- a piezoelectric member supported on an output shaft of a power tool, the piezoelectric member configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to being coupled to a source of electrical energy and to generate a clamping force in response to being in the second state;
- a first clamp member supported on the output shaft;
- and
- a second clamp member supported on the output shaft, the second clamp member configured to impart the clamping force upon a tool member supported on the output shaft between the first clamp member and the second clamp member.
A method of coupling and decoupling a tool member to an output shaft of a power tool, the method comprising:
- positioning a tool member on an output shaft of a power tool between a clamp member and a piezoelectric element;
- and
- coupling a source of electrical energy to the piezoelectric element to cause the piezoelectric element to impart a clamping force upon the tool member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.