Dual-Hinged Bar Feeder Cover for Safe Access and Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bar-feeding apparatuses lack effective protection and adaptability, posing safety risks to operators and mechanical damage due to inadequate covering, noise, and complex accessibility, with inflexible positioning and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A covering device with a support frame and hinged cover element that allows for easy access and protection, featuring adjustable components and acoustic insulation, enabling versatile positioning and safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed heavy structure is used for the feeding apparatus, then it provides stable support, but it becomes difficult to reposition and adapt to different machine tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different machine toolsVSAvoidweight of feeding apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding apparatus is divided into modular components including a drum assembly, support frame, and covering device that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the system to be adapted to different machine tools without moving the entire heavy structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The covering device incorporates movable elements such as hinged doors and adjustable panels that can be dynamically reconfigured. This dynamic design enables the apparatus to adapt to different operating conditions and machine tool positions while maintaining structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the feeding apparatus is completely enclosed for protection, then operator safety improves, but accessibility for maintenance and inspection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from chips and noiseVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The covering device is divided into multiple separable panels and hinged doors rather than a single enclosed structure. This allows operators to access specific components for maintenance while maintaining overall enclosure for safety and noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The covering device incorporates movable hinged doors and adjustable panels that can be opened or reconfigured during operation or maintenance. This dynamic design maintains protective enclosure while providing easy access to internal components when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If heavy protective covering is used, then mechanical protection improves, but the apparatus becomes more bulky and less adaptable in positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from mechanical damageVSAvoidbulkiness of apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The covering device uses thin but effective protective panels and shields that provide mechanical protection without adding significant bulk. These flexible covering elements can be positioned to protect critical areas while maintaining a compact overall apparatus size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP4028687B1Covering device for an apparatus for feeding bars to a machine tool
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 CUCCHI GIOVANNI & C
  • EP4028687B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4028687B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4028687B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Covering device (1) suitable for an apparatus (2) for feeding bars to a machine tool, comprises: - a support frame (3), rotatably connectable, by first hinge elements (4), to a frame structure (5) of the feeding apparatus (2), - a cover element (6) rotatably connected, by second hinge elements (7), to the support frame (3). The first hinge elements (4) and the second hinge elements (7) are arranged on respective longitudinal sides (L1, L2), opposite one another, of the support frame (3) and are configured to enable the covering device (1) to be opened, at will, both from one side and the other side of the feeding apparatus (2). On the cover element (6) a slit opening (8) is obtained that extends longitudinally, configured to enable bars to move from external auxiliary storage to a drum (9) of the feeding apparatus (2).