Bending Tool Transfer Shuttle Holding Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bending tool transfer systems often result in adjacent tools being pulled along during movement, leading to incorrect positioning and potential damage due to adhesion caused by magnetic attraction or vacuum effects, which can result in tools tipping over or failing to detach properly.
Innovation Solution
A transfer shuttle with a holding device that temporarily secures adjacent bending tools in the guide rail, allowing the coupling to move parallel to the shuttle's direction of travel, ensuring the adjacent tool remains stationary while the first tool is pulled away, using a mechanical clutch and holding device that can be actuated between holding and releasing positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a transfer shuttle is used to move bending tools along a guide rail, then tool positioning and replacement efficiency is improved, but adjacent tools can be accidentally pulled along due to adhesion, causing mispositioning or damage
Solution Approach 1:
A holding device is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the transfer shuttle and the bending tools. This holding device selectively engages with adjacent bending tools to prevent them from moving during the transfer process, while allowing the intended tool to be moved. The holding device acts as a mediator that controls which tools are restrained and which are free to move, thus preventing accidental adhesion and mispositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding device is designed to be dynamically controllable, transitioning between engaged and disengaged states. During tool transfer, the holding device engages with adjacent tools to restrain them. After the transfer is complete, the holding device disengages to allow normal operations. This dynamic control ensures that tools are restrained only when necessary, maintaining both productivity and positioning accuracy.
2Strength
If magnetic coupling or vacuum effects are used to hold bending tools, then secure holding is achieved, but adhesion between adjacent tools occurs, causing them to stick together during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful adhesion effect is extracted and isolated from the intended holding function. The holding device uses magnetic coupling or vacuum effects only for its intended purpose of restraining adjacent tools, while the transfer shuttle uses a separate coupling mechanism (such as a clamping device) to hold the bending tool to be transferred. By separating these functions into different mechanisms, the adhesion between adjacent tools is eliminated.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding function is segmented into two separate systems: (1) the holding device that uses magnetic coupling or vacuum to restrain adjacent tools in the guide rail, and (2) the coupling mechanism on the transfer shuttle that holds the bending tool to be transferred. This segmentation ensures that the strong holding force is applied only where needed, without causing unwanted adhesion between adjacent tools.
3Device complexity
If the coupling is fixed relative to the transfer shuttle, then simple structure is maintained, but the coupling cannot separate the first tool from adjacent tools during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is designed with dynamic movement capability relative to the transfer shuttle base. The coupling can move in the direction of tool travel to apply separating force on the bending tool, pulling it away from adjacent tools. After separation, the coupling returns to its original position. This dynamic movement is essential for reliably separating tools while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is nested within or integrated with the transfer shuttle structure. The coupling can move independently within the shuttle's framework, allowing separation action without requiring a completely separate external mechanism. This nesting approach maintains device simplicity while achieving reliable tool separation.
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
Ensures reliable separation of bending tools, preventing adhesion and damage, and maintaining accurate positioning, even for small or narrow tools, by using a mechanical clutch and holding device that allows for precise control over tool movement.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling, along with the attached (first) bending tool, moves away from the second bending tool. The direction of movement of the coupling relative to the holding device corresponds to the direction of travel of the transfer shuttle
Implementation Method 2
This adhesion can be caused, for example, by magnetic attraction between the bending tools
Implementation Method 3
or by vacuum effects due to an oil film between them
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a bending tool transfer shuttle (1) for moving bending tools (11 and 12) in a guide rail (6), comprising: - a base element (2) and - an operable coupling (4) for coupling a bending tool (11) to the transfer shuttle (1). In order to prevent adhering or turning over of an adjacent bending tool (12), according to the invention the transfer shuttle (1) has a holding device (5) for temporarily holding at least one bending tool (12) in a guide rail (6) and the coupling (4) is movable substantially parallel to the travel direction (10) of the transfer shuttle (1) relative to the holding device (5).