Cap Tip Detachment Device Using Spring-Loaded Movable Nails

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cap tip detachment devices for welding devices require a driving source or human power, leading to high facility and operating costs, and lengthy operation times due to the need for simultaneous replacement of cap tips on paired shanks.

Innovation Solution

A cap tip detachment device with slidably arranged nail mounting boards on a linear rail, where the shank moving mechanism of the welding device inserts the shank between fixed and movable nails, using springs to open the movable nails, allowing simultaneous detachment of cap tips without a driving source or human power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a driving source such as a cylinder is used to open/close the movable nail, then the cap tip detachment device can automatically detach cap tips, but the facility cost and operating cost become high due to required power supply and pressure source

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic cap tip detachmentVSAvoidfacility cost and operating cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The movable nail is designed to open automatically through its own spring mechanism when the cap tip is removed from between the fixed nail and movable nail. The spring stores potential energy during the closing operation and releases it to open the movable nail, eliminating the need for external driving sources like cylinders or pressure sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The movable nail transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic open position through spring force. The system uses the dynamic movement of the movable nail and the robot arm's positioning capability to achieve automatic detachment without requiring continuous power supply or complex driving mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If manual operation of a lever is used to open/close the movable nail, then the device is inexpensive, but the load of the operator increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice costVSAvoidoperator load
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism attached to the movable nail provides self-service by automatically opening the movable nail after cap tip removal. This eliminates the need for manual lever operation, reducing operator load to minimal actions such as positioning the shank and initiating the detachment sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If cap tips are detached for each shank individually, then the detachment process is simple, but a long operation time is required since shanks are used in pairs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachment process simplicityVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the detachment operations for both shanks into a single coordinated process. The robot arm positions both shanks simultaneously, and the movable nails for both shanks are opened together through the spring mechanisms, enabling simultaneous detachment of cap tips from paired shanks and significantly reducing total operation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary positioning of both shanks by the robot arm before the actual detachment occurs. This preliminary action ensures that both shanks are correctly positioned between their respective fixed and movable nails, allowing the subsequent detachment to proceed simultaneously and efficiently for both shanks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simultaneous detachment of cap tips from a pair of welding device shanks, reducing manufacturing and operation costs, and eliminating the need for a driving source or human power, thus improving efficiency and reducing operational time.

Implementation Method 1

a spring (16) arranged between the arm (14) of the movable nail (12) and the fixed nail (8), the elastic force of which acts on the arm (14) in the direction in which the arm (14) separates away from the fixed nail (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3213853B1Cap tip removal device
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 SHINKOKIKI CO LTD
  • EP3213853B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3213853B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3213853B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cap tip detachment device capable of detaching cap tips 60 which are fitted at the end of the shanks 50 of a welding device. A pair of nail mounting boards 3 and 4, which mounts a fixed nail 8 and a movable nail 12, and a slider 5, which is located between the nail mounting boards, are arranged on a linear rail 2. The movable nail 12 of the pair of nail mounting boards 3 and 4 includes a an arm 14 extending toward an opposite side of a pivot shaft 11, and a spring 16 that elastically urges the arm 14 in a direction of separating from the nail mounting board 3 and 4; and a distal end of each arm is abutted against the slider 5. When a shank 50 is pushed against the fixed nail 8 of one nail mounting board 3 by a robot, the movable nails 12 of both nail mounting boards 3 and 4 open allowing the cap tip 60 to be detached.