Battery Paste Hopper Clamp Assembly for Rapid Orifice Plate Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery paste application machines require frequent removal and replacement of orifice plates for cleaning and adapting to different grid or electrode configurations, leading to significant downtime and production losses.
Innovation Solution
A battery paste application tooling assembly with a hopper, connector, and clamp system that allows for tool-free, quick installation and removal of the orifice plate, enabling efficient switching between different configurations without interrupting the production process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If orifice plate is securely fastened with multiple cap screws and bolts, then reliability of paste application is improved, but device complexity and time to change orifice plate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice plate assembly is segmented into modular components: the orifice plate itself, the connector with mounting brackets, and the clamp assembly. This segmentation allows the orifice plate to be quickly detached and replaced by simply releasing the clamp, eliminating the need to dismantle multiple fasteners while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly provides dynamic attachment capability, transitioning from a locked state (when engaged) to a released state (when disengaged). The clamp fingers can be manually actuated to release the orifice plate, enabling rapid changes without permanent fastening mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability during paste application.
2Reliability
If orifice plate is securely fastened with multiple cap screws and bolts, then reliability of paste application is improved, but loss of time during changeover increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into the clamp assembly that can be independently actuated to release the orifice plate. This allows the operator to quickly detach the orifice plate by simply releasing the clamp fingers, reducing changeover time from 20-30 minutes to a matter of seconds, while the clamp maintains secure attachment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly provides a simplified copy of the attachment function - instead of requiring multiple cap screws and bolts to be manually loosened and removed, the clamp fingers provide a single-point release mechanism that replicates the secure attachment function during operation but allows rapid release when needed.
3Ease of operation
If clamp fingers are positioned to engage orifice plate, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of secure engagement may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp fingers combine multiple functions: they engage the orifice plate mounting brackets, apply clamping force through the clamp body, and can be simultaneously actuated by a single operator action. This merging of functions allows easy operation (single-handed release) while maintaining reliable secure engagement during paste application through the mechanical advantage of the clamp assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery paste application tooling assembly includes a hopper, a connector assembly, and a clamp assembly. The battery paste application tooling assembly can be equipped in a pasting machine. The hopper receives battery paste material. The hopper has an orifice plate with an orifice therein. The connector assembly is engageable with the orifice plate and disengageable therefrom. The clamp assembly is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the clamp assembly releasable secures the orifice plate to the hopper. In the second position, the clamp assembly permits removal of the orifice plate from the hopper.