Annular Bellows Handling Apparatus with Compression Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices for picking up hollow bodies with positional errors often jam due to misalignment and aging annular bellows, which affects reliable operation and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with a force storage element that transmits relative movement between the cylinder and piston to the receiving element under pressure, using a compression spring to release the return deformation of the ring bellows and relax the energy storage element, allowing for reliable operation even with aged bellows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the annular bellows is used to pick up hollow bodies with positional errors, then the device can accommodate misalignment, but the bellows may jam when aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a force storage element (spring) that预先 stores energy to compensate for bellows deformation. When the bellows ages or deforms, the spring provides compensatory force to maintain proper tension and prevent jamming, cushioning against the adverse effects of aging before they cause failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The force storage element acts as an intermediary between the bellows and the piston/cylinder system. It mediates the force transmission, allowing the bellows to accommodate positional errors while the spring ensures reliable force transmission even when the bellows material properties change due to aging.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the piston is pushed back by a return spring, then energy consumption is reduced, but the bellows may not release reliably from aged positions
Solution Approach 1:
The force storage element is pre-compressed to store energy that will be released to push the piston back. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even when the bellows are aged and stuck in a deformed position, there is sufficient stored energy to overcome the friction and elastic resistance, reliably returning the piston to its initial position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a dynamic force storage element that can adjust its stored energy based on the bellows' actual state. The spring compression is designed to provide variable force that adapts to the resistance encountered, ensuring reliable piston return while maintaining energy efficiency.
3Productivity
If the bellows is continuously compressed and expanded, then the device operates repeatedly, but the stroke may change due to aging
Solution Approach 1:
The force storage element compensates for the cumulative effects of repeated compression and expansion cycles. By pre-storing energy and providing continuous force adjustment, the spring counteracts the gradual material degradation of the bellows, maintaining consistent stroke characteristics throughout the device's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the force storage element's parameters (compression level, spring constant) to be optimized to compensate for bellows aging. The spring can be designed with specific characteristics that counterbalance the expected degradation of the bellows material, maintaining stable stroke performance over time.
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
Enables reliable picking up of workpieces with positional errors and maintains energy efficiency by compensating for misalignment and aging bellows, preventing jamming and ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
a force storage element, in particular a compression spring (131), which is compressed by relative movement between the cylinder (31) and the piston (61) when pressure is applied and releases the return deformation of the ring bellows (110) and relaxes the energy storage element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for non-positively receiving hollow bodies therein, having a cylinder-piston unit (20) which comprises a pressure chamber (21) delimited by a cylinder (31) and a piston (61), and having a rod (81), which extends in the axial direction (11) of the apparatus (10) and carries an elastically deformable annular bellows (110) that is supported in two receiving elements (141, 146), which can be moved relative to each other at least in the axial direction (11), wherein the cylinder (31) and the piston (61) can be displaced relative to each other by pressurizing the pressure chamber (21), moving the receiving elements (141, 146) toward each other to deform the annular bellows (110), and wherein the pressure chamber (21) can be compressed by means of a return spring (120) that guides the cylinder (31) and the piston (61) relative to each other. For this purpose, the rod (81) penetrates the cylinder (31) in the axial direction (11). The receiving elements (141, 146) are floatingly mounted. In addition, the compression of the pressure chamber (21) enables the straightening of the annular bellows (110). With the present invention, an apparatus has been developed which allows workpieces having position errors to be received and secure detachment of the annular bellows.