Arcuate Fastener Stocker Layout to Prevent Supply Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices are limited by their large size and unstable posture of fastening tools during transportation, leading to potential jamming issues, which restricts their installation locations and efficiency in assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device with an arcuate-shaped stocker that aligns fastening tools in a row, combined with a displacement device for the screw-rotating unit to approach and separate from the receiving site, ensuring stable tool posture and reducing device size, thereby preventing jamming and enhancing layout flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the stocker and unloading/supplying device are arranged separately in horizontal direction, then the fastening device can supply fastening tools, but the device becomes larger in scale and installation location is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stocker and unloading/supplying device into a single integrated unit. The stocker is positioned at the rear end of the unloading/supplying device, eliminating the need for separate horizontal arrangement. This merging reduces the overall device scale while maintaining the fastening tool supply capability, allowing the device to be installed in locations with limited space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal separation to vertical integration by positioning the stocker at the rear end of the unloading/supplying device in the same horizontal plane. The fastening tools are supplied through a supply passage that extends from the stocker to the discharge port, utilizing vertical and depth dimensions rather than horizontal expansion. This dimensional change reduces the device's footprint while preserving functionality.
2Productivity
If fastening tools descend by weight in supply passage from upward stocker to downward unloading device, then tools are supplied, but posture becomes unstable and jamming may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the stocker and unloading/supplying device at the same horizontal level, eliminating the vertical height difference that causes fastening tools to descend by gravity. This equipotential arrangement prevents unstable posture and jamming during tool supply, as the tools move horizontally rather than falling vertically through the supply passage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the stocker above the unloading device (vertical arrangement causing gravitational descent), the patent inverts the approach by placing the stocker at the rear end at the same horizontal level. The supply passage is configured to extend horizontally from the stocker's discharge port to the unloading device's discharge port, reversing the vertical gravity-driven flow to a horizontal controlled transport.
3Productivity
If fastening tools are moved in vertical direction, then tools can be supplied from stocker, but tools may become inclined or unstable and interfere with stocker walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates vertical movement of fastening tools by positioning the stocker and discharge port at the same horizontal level. Tools move horizontally through the supply passage without vertical descent, preventing inclination and interference with stocker walls. This equipotential design ensures smooth tool movement and maintains stable tool posture throughout the supply process.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening device is equipped with a stocker. The stocker has a circular arcuate shape which is curved in a horizontal plane, and accommodates fastening tools in a state of being aligned in a row. The fastening tool that is positioned at a most downstream side of the stocker is supplied to the receiving site by an unloading and supplying device. Furthermore, the fastening tool supplied to the receiving site is screw-rotated by a screw-rotating device that is displaced toward the fastening tool.