Circular Blank Ring Insertion With Coaxial Centering to Prevent Damage

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for inserting a circular blank ring made of plastic material into an outer ring of a circular blank often result in deformation and damage due to the generation of burrs during the joining process, where the location of the burr is unknown, potentially causing radial overlap and damage to the softer plastic material.

Innovation Solution

An insertion device and method that utilize a pusher and centering body aligned coaxially with the axis, where the centering body aligns the outer ring coaxially before the circular blank ring is inserted, minimizing friction and avoiding radial overlap by ensuring precise alignment and controlled contact, using a pneumatic cylinder for precise movement and pressure control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a circular blank ring made of plastic material is joined to an outer ring made of metal, then the assembly is completed, but the circular blank ring may become deformed and damaged due to burrs on the outer ring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly completionVSAvoiddamage to circular blank ring

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing burrs from the outer ring before the circular blank ring is inserted. The device includes a burr removal unit that activates prior to insertion to eliminate harmful burrs, preventing them from damaging the softer plastic material during assembly. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful factor before it can cause damage while maintaining productive assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If pressing-in force is applied to insert the circular blank ring into the outer ring, then insertion is achieved, but radial overlap may occur causing damage to the softer plastic material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion achievementVSAvoidradial overlap damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing burrs from the outer ring before the circular blank ring is inserted. The device includes a burr removal unit that activates prior to insertion to eliminate harmful burrs, preventing them from damaging the softer plastic material during assembly. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful factor before it can cause damage while maintaining productive assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by providing a guided insertion path through the device structure. The insertion device includes guides and alignment features that ensure the circular blank ring enters the outer ring concentrically, preventing radial overlap. This intermediary guidance system protects the softer plastic material from damage while achieving successful insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the burr location on the outer ring is unknown, then assembly can proceed without inspection, but damage risk to the circular blank ring increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoiddamage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing burrs from the outer ring before the circular blank ring is inserted. The device includes a burr removal unit that activates prior to insertion to eliminate harmful burrs, preventing them from damaging the softer plastic material during assembly. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful factor before it can cause damage while maintaining productive assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful burrs into a benefit by using the burr removal unit to eliminate them automatically as part of the assembly process. The device transforms what would be a harmful factor into a controlled step that actually improves the quality of the assembly, maintaining simplicity while eliminating damage risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11065729B2Insertion device and method for inserting a circular blank ring into an outer ring of a circular blank

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

An outer ring (29) is first transported to an insertion point (E) in the feed device (34). At the same time, a circular blank ring (30) is brought into a starting position (P) in the feed device. The circular blank ring (29) is first aligned coaxially with respect to an axis (A) using a centering body (61). The circular blank ring moves solely radially with respect to the axis (A). The circular blank ring (30) is then inserted into the hole of the outer ring (29). During this movement, the circular blank ring is aligned coaxially with respect to the axis (A) preferably using a centering channel (54). The circular blank ring (30) carries out a superimposed movement in the axial direction (V) and in the radial direction radially with respect to the axis (A).