Male Connector Holder With Movable Stage for Deformed Neck Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic chemical supply apparatuses face operational disruptions due to shape deformation of male connectors, particularly the stretching of their neck region, which prevents complete insertion and fastening with female connectors, leading to incomplete chemical transfer and process halts.
Innovation Solution
A male connector holder with a lower and upper stage, an elastic member, and a rail system that allows independent movement of the lower stage to correct the alignment of deformed male connectors, ensuring proper seating and connection with female connectors, even when the neck region is stretched, using a location sensor to confirm complete fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the male connector is used repeatedly for fastening and separating the hose flange, then the neck region becomes stretched and deformed, but the connector should maintain its shape for proper insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The male connector holder is divided into two independent stages: a lower stage that moves with the transfer unit, and an upper stage that can move independently along a rail. This segmentation allows the upper stage to perform alignment correction while the lower stage handles the main transfer motion, resolving the contradiction between repeated use and shape maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper stage acts as an intermediary between the deformed male connector and the female connector. It performs alignment correction by moving independently along the rail, mediating the connection process and enabling proper insertion despite the neck region deformation caused by repeated use.
2Ease of operation
If the neck region of the male connector is stretched, then the flange spacing increases, but complete insertion into the female connector cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The upper stage is designed to move dynamically along the rail in the front-rear direction, allowing real-time alignment correction. This dynamic adjustment compensates for the increased flange spacing caused by neck region stretching, ensuring complete insertion and maintaining ease of operation despite dimensional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a location sensor to detect the position of the flange and provides feedback for alignment correction. This feedback mechanism enables the upper stage to adjust its position automatically, compensating for the spacing increase and ensuring precise alignment for complete connector insertion.
3Device complexity
If a fixed stage is used for the male connector holder, then the structure is simple, but it cannot correct alignment of deformed connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The male connector holder is segmented into a lower stage (fixed to transfer unit) and an upper stage (movable on rail), creating a minimally complex structure that enables alignment correction. This segmentation adds only the necessary moving component while maintaining structural simplicity, achieving both low complexity and high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper stage serves as a mediator that introduces minimal complexity into the system while significantly improving reliability. By adding only the upper stage with rail movement capability, the system gains alignment correction functionality without overwhelming structural complexity.
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 smooth and uninterrupted chemical supply by accurately aligning and fastening deformed male connectors with female connectors, preventing operational halts and ensuring complete chemical transfer, thus enhancing productivity and worker safety.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member, and a rail system that allows independent movement of the lower stage
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a male connector holder for an automatic chemical supply apparatus, in which as an upper stage that is independently movable in a front-rear direction is provided on a lower stage that is moved in the front-rear direction by a transfer unit, and even when a male connector having a stretched neck region is seated on the holder, the automatic chemical supply apparatus may be smoothly and normally operated.