Ball Pen Tip Spring Assembly Using Plastic Flow Ridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing ball pen tips are not productive enough, and existing ball pen tip manufacturing machines lack efficiency in assembling springs due to directional alignment issues and varying spring shapes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving punching the ball pen tip from the rear end along the central axis to form plastic flow ridges, allowing for radial inward upheaval and efficient assembly of springs without directional distinction, using a punch with a square or tapered cross-section to maximize plastic flow and ensure reliable spring assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional swaging methods are used to assemble springs in ball pen tips, then assembly is possible, but productivity is low due to directional alignment requirements and varying spring shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the assembly process into two independent stages: first forming the plastic flow ridge structure in the tip, then assembling the spring. This segmentation allows the spring assembly to be independent of spring shape variations, enabling high-speed automated assembly without complex alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic flow ridge is formed in advance during tip manufacturing, creating a pre-positioned spring retention structure. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time alignment during spring assembly, allowing springs of various shapes to be assembled quickly without directional restrictions.
2Extent of automation
If automatic assembling machines are used with conventional tips, then assembly automation is achieved, but the machine complexity increases due to need for precise alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic flow ridge structure provides self-alignment functionality, where the spring automatically positions itself during assembly without requiring complex external alignment mechanisms. The ridge geometry guides the spring into the correct position, enabling simple automated assembly machines to achieve high precision.
3Ease of operation
If spring outer diameter varies to achieve gravitational self-alignment, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing precision of the spring is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the alignment function from the spring geometry and relocates it to the tip structure through the plastic flow ridge. This allows springs to be manufactured with consistent outer diameters using precise methods, while the tip's ridge structure provides the alignment function during assembly.
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 approach significantly enhances productivity by enabling efficient assembly of springs into ball pen tips, preventing ink leakage and ensuring smooth writing with improved reliability and quality, while allowing for automated and compact manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
punching the ball pen tip by a punch from the rear end of the ball pen tip along a central axis direction of the ball pen tip to form a plastic flow ridge formed by plastic flow upheaving radially inward from an inner peripheral wall surface of the ball pen tip
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a ball pen tip, in which a spring for biasing a ball is assembled to the ball pen tip, includes punching the ball pen tip by a punch from a rear end of the ball pen tip along a central axis direction of the ball pen tip to form a plastic flow ridge formed by plastic flow upheaving radially inward from an inner peripheral wall surface of the ball pen tip to assemble the spring to the ball pen tip by the plastic flow ridge.