Circulating Holding Tool Conveyor for Heat Shrink Harness Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat shrink tube harness products with crimped ends cannot be effectively clamped by conveyor belts, requiring manual retrieval of external holding tools, which is time-consuming and laborious.
Innovation Solution
A tool conveying device with a bracket, pulleys, and an endless belt system that integrates holding tools with extension and joint parts, allowing automatic circulation and secure clamping of heat shrink tube harness products, eliminating the need for manual retrieval of holding tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external holding tools are used to hold heat shrink tube harness products with crimped ends, then the products can be transported through the heating chamber, but the holding tools fall into the product recovery box and mix with the products, requiring frequent manual retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The holding tools are merged with the conveyor belt system by being connected to the endless belt. The extension part of each holding tool is clamped between the conveyor belts, integrating the holding function into the existing conveyor structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate tool management and enables automatic circulation of holding tools through the heating chamber and back to the loading position.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding tools automatically return to the loading position after completing their function in the heating chamber. The endless belt system self-transports the holding tools back without requiring manual intervention. Operators no longer need to frequently retrieve tools manually, as the system automatically services itself by circulating the holding tools continuously.
2Productivity
If holding tools are connected to an endless belt system, then automatic circulation is achieved, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The existing conveyor belts serve dual functions: transporting heat shrink tube harness products through the heating chamber and simultaneously transporting the holding tools back to the loading position. The endless belt system is integrated into the existing conveyor structure, making the conveyor belts perform both product conveyance and tool return functions, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated tool return mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding tools are temporarily 'discarded' into the product recovery box area after use, but the endless belt system automatically 'recovers' them by continuing to circulate them back to the loading position. This continuous circulation ensures tools are always available for the next product without requiring separate recovery operations.
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
Automates the handling of heat shrink tube harness products, reducing manual intervention and enhancing operational efficiency by ensuring seamless transport through the heating chamber without tool loss.
Implementation Method 1
The extension part is adapted to be clamped between a pair of conveyor belts... under the drive of the pair of conveyor belts
Data Source
AI summary
A tool conveying device includes a bracket, a pair of pulleys rotatably mounted on the bracket, an endless belt connected between the pair of pulleys, and holding tools connected to the endless belt and spaced apart from each other. Each of the holding tools includes an extension part and a joint part. The extension part is adapted to be clamped between a pair of conveyor belts of a heat shrink machine, so that the holding tool and the endless belt can circulate along an annular path between a loading position and an unloading position of the heat shrink machine under the drive of the pair of conveyor belts. The joint part is provided on the end of the extension part and is adapted to join with a connection end of heat shrink tube harness product for holding the connection end of the heat shrink tube harness product.