Contact Tip Replacement Assembly With Single-Position Attach/Detach

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact tip replacement devices are large due to separate contact-tip attaching and detaching assemblies, making them less compact.

Innovation Solution

A contact tip replacement device that allows attachment and detachment of contact tips in a single area, utilizing a storage case with a reciprocator, tip ejector, and holder-rotator to manage contact tips, enabling compact design and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate contact-tip attaching assembly and contact-tip detaching assembly are used at different positions, then attachment and detachment functions are achieved, but the device size becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment and detachment functionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the contact-tip attaching assembly and contact-tip detaching assembly into a single integrated assembly located at one position. The holder-rotator serves dual functions: it holds contact tips for attachment and rotates to detach used contact tips. This merging of functions into a single assembly eliminates the need for separate attaching and detaching assemblies at different positions, thereby reducing the overall device size while maintaining both attachment and detachment capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple assemblies are used for contact tip replacement, then complete replacement function is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact tip replacement functionVSAvoidassembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder-rotator is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it holds contact tips in ready position, rotates to screw contact tips onto the torch body (attachment function), and rotates in reverse to unscrew and detach used contact tips. By making the holder-rotator multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated attaching and detaching assemblies, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining complete contact tip replacement functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240017346A1Contact tip replacement device

Publication Date: 2024.01.18 TIPMAN

AI summary

A tip case (3) stores a plurality of contact tips (10) linearly aligned in a horizontal direction and each having a tip end facing downward. A reciprocator (5) reciprocates the tip case (3) in a direction in which the plurality of contact tips (10) are aligned to move the tip case (3) into or out of a tip supplying space (S2). A tip ejector (6) ejects a contact tip (10) of the plurality of contact tips (10) upward from the tip case (3) moved into the tip supplying space (2). A holder-rotator (4) screws the contact tip (10) ejected by the tip ejector (6) into a torch body (11) or detaches the contact tip (10) from the torch body (11).