Spring-Loaded Cooling Unit Clamping for Caterpillar Casting Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping systems for cooling units on caterpillar-type casting machines are complex and prone to damage during handling, with issues related to continuous energy supply requirements and mechanical complexity, particularly when releasing or storing cooling units.
Innovation Solution
A clamping system utilizing a pre-tensioned connecting element with a spring, which automatically engages with a recess on the cooling unit, allowing for simple and robust fastening and releasing without continuous energy, using a spring-preloaded connecting element that moves along its longitudinal axis and a recess with a lateral opening for easy installation and removal, and an optional fluidic release mechanism for automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If permanent magnets are used to hold cooling units on supporting elements, then the cooling units are held without continuous energy supply, but the handling and releasing of cooling units becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping system is divided into independent clamping units, each with its own spring-loaded connecting element. This segmentation allows individual cooling units to be released without affecting others, simplifying maintenance operations while maintaining energy-independent holding through the spring mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using magnets to attract and hold the cooling units (permanent magnets) or requiring continuous energy (electromagnets), the invention inverts the approach by using spring-loaded connecting elements that actively push against the cooling units to maintain clamping. The cooling units are released by withdrawing the supporting element, allowing the spring to expand and disengage the connecting element from the recess.
2Reliability
If electromagnets are used to draw and hold cooling units, then the cooling units are securely held during operation, but they fall off immediately when power supply is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded connecting elements are pre-tensioned during assembly to provide immediate clamping force. This preliminary action ensures that the cooling units are securely held from the moment they engage with the supporting element, without requiring continuous energy supply. The pre-compressed spring stores potential energy that is continuously applied to maintain the clamping force.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive and energy-dependent electromagnets with simple, passive spring-loaded mechanical connecting elements. These connecting elements are robust, maintenance-free, and do not require energy supply, effectively using simple mechanical components to achieve reliable holding.
3Ease of manufacture
If spring-pretensioned pin elements are used for clamping, then the cooling units can be fastened mechanically, but the protruding pin elements are prone to damage during removal and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element with its spring is nested within a housing on the supporting element. When the cooling unit is removed, the connecting element retracts into the housing, protecting the spring and connecting element from damage. This nesting arrangement allows the mechanical fastening to function during operation while protecting the components during storage and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The vulnerable spring-loaded connecting element is extracted from the cooling unit itself and placed on the supporting element. This extraction eliminates the risk of damaging the connecting element during cooling unit removal and storage, as the connecting element remains fixed on the supporting element and does not protrude from the cooling unit.
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
The system provides a mechanically simple, robust, and energy-independent clamping solution that simplifies handling and reduces the risk of damage to pin elements, enabling easy maintenance and automatic operation of cooling units on caterpillar-type casting machines.
Implementation Method 1
at least one connecting element (20), which is pre-tensioned in its longitudinal direction by a spring (22)
Implementation Method 2
a fluid under pressure is applied to a lower end face (42) of the connecting element (20), whereby the connecting element (20) is moved against the spring pre-tension into a release position
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping system for fastening a cooling unit on a circulating supporting element of a caterpillar-type casting machine includes at least one connecting element, which is pre-tensioned in its longitudinal direction by a spring, and a clamping arrangement, by which the cooling unit is fastenable on the supporting element. The connecting element is accommodated in a displaceably mounted manner in the direction of its longitudinal axis inside the supporting element. The clamping arrangement is formed by a head on an upper end face of the connecting element and a recess, which is provided on/in the cooling unit and is brought into interaction therewith. The connecting element is pre-tensioned by the spring toward the supporting element and is transferred into a clamping position, in which the cooling unit, when the head of the connecting element engages with the recess provided on/in the cooling unit, is automatically clamped with the supporting element.