Concave Breakout Claw for Self-Centering Stripping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing break-out claws lack flexibility and self-centering capabilities, leading to inefficient penetration and removal of stripping parts, especially when there are inaccuracies in alignment or thickness variations.

Innovation Solution

A break-out claw with a concave plunger holder allows for variable penetration depth and self-centering, facilitated by a convex plunger shape that interacts with the concave receptacle, enabling improved force distribution and increased counterpressure for better alignment and easier extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a straight tip design is used for the breakout claw, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the penetration depth is limited and flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepenetration depthVSAvoidtip structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the tip of the breakout claw, transitioning from a straight tip to a curved tip design. This curvature enables the tip to penetrate deeper into the part being broken out by allowing the claw to angle and adapt to the part geometry, while the curved shape distributes stress more effectively during penetration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flat connection between tips is used, then the structure is simple, but the breakout claw lacks self-centering capability and flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-centering capabilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a concave curvature in the connection between the tips of the breakout claw. This concave connection allows the tips to move relative to each other and self-center within the breakout tool during operation, providing adaptability to alignment variations while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the breakout claw tip is made rigid for stable insertion, then insertion is reliable, but the claw cannot yield to counter-pressure and lacks flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidinsertion reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the tip of the breakout claw movable or flexible rather than completely rigid. The tip can yield to counter-pressure applied by the part being broken out, allowing dynamic adaptation during penetration while maintaining sufficient stability for reliable insertion. This dynamic characteristic enables the claw to accommodate thickness variations and alignment inaccuracies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Extent of automation

If a hammer-driven insertion method is used, then the process is simple, but automated insertion is not possible and positioning precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion automationVSAvoidinsertion process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the breakout claw with a preliminary positioning feature (such as a positioning groove or alignment element) that enables automated insertion machines to accurately position and insert the claw without complex hammer-driven operations. This preliminary action facilitates automated manufacturing while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3571028B1Stripper strip
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 BOXPLAN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3571028B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3571028B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a stripping claw for insertion into a stripping tool, which is intended to strip a break-off part from a planar workpiece and comprises at least two tips (6.1, 6.2) to be placed onto the break-off part. According to the invention, the region between the two tips (6.1, 6.2) has a concave design.