Bolt Feed Groove Geometry for Quiet Automatic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a bolt supply device that is small in size and does not include a vibrator, while still being able to automatically supply and align bolts at a predetermined position, as existing devices are either large or degrade the work environment due to noise from vibrators.
Innovation Solution
A bolt supply device with a slide plate inclined in the vertical direction, featuring grooves of varying angles and lengths to control the dropping speed of bolts, and a cover to prevent flange portions from overlapping, allowing for efficient alignment and suppression of noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a parts feeder including a vibrator is used to automatically supply and align bolts, then bolts can be automatically supplied and aligned, but the device becomes large in size and generates noise that degrades the work environment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the vibrator component from the bolt supply system. Instead of using a vibrator to feed bolts, the patent employs a purely mechanical guide structure with inclined surfaces and grooves that utilize gravity and geometric constraints to achieve automatic bolt supply and alignment without any vibrating elements, thereby eliminating noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the vibration-based mechanical system with a gravity-based passive mechanical system. The bolt supply is achieved through the inclined slide plate and guide grooves that direct bolts using gravitational force and geometric guidance rather than active vibration, substituting one mechanical approach with a quieter, passive mechanical alternative.
2Extent of automation
If a parts feeder including a vibrator is used to automatically supply and align bolts, then bolts can be automatically supplied and aligned, but the device becomes large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the vibrator component from the bolt supply system. Instead of using a vibrator to feed bolts, the patent employs a purely mechanical guide structure with inclined surfaces and grooves that utilize gravity and geometric constraints to achieve automatic bolt supply and alignment without any vibrating elements, thereby eliminating noise generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the vibration-based mechanical system with a gravity-based passive mechanical system. The bolt supply is achieved through the inclined slide plate and guide grooves that direct bolts using gravitational force and geometric guidance rather than active vibration, substituting one mechanical approach with a quieter, passive mechanical alternative.
3Manufacturing precision
If grooves with varying angles are used to control bolt dropping speed, then bolt alignment precision is improved, but the groove structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by varying the angle of different sections of the guide groove along its length. The groove is divided into multiple segments with different inclination angles, where each segment provides a specific function: the upper segment has a larger angle for initial bolt release, while the lower segment has a smaller angle for precise alignment and controlled dropping. This localized variation in geometric parameters achieves precise bolt positioning without requiring complex external mechanisms.
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
The device effectively supplies and aligns bolts in a compact form, reducing noise and environmental degradation, while ensuring accurate positioning and preventing flange portion overlap.
Implementation Method 1
a slide plate disposed to be inclined to a vertical direction; and a groove portion formed in the slide plate... causes the dropping speed of the bolt moving in the second groove to be higher than the dropping speed of the bolt moving in the first groove
Data Source
AI summary
A bolt supply device includes a slide plate inclined to a vertical direction; and a groove portion formed in the slide plate and having a width that allows passing of a screw portion of a bolt and prevents passing of a flange portion of the bolt. The groove portion includes a first groove configured such that an angle formed between a line extending in an up-down direction along the slide plate and the first groove is a first angle; and a second groove connected to a lower end of the first groove and configured such that an angle formed between the line extending in the up-down direction along the slide plate and the second groove is a second angle smaller than the first angle. The bolt take-out portion is set in the groove portion at a lower end or below the lower end of the second groove.