Curved Rivet Dispenser Channel for Jam-Free Welding Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for feeding rivets to resistance spot rivet welding systems face challenges in efficient and reliable automation, particularly in aligning and introducing rivets to the welding apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A rivet dispenser system with a channel and seat member configuration that transports rivets in a preselected orientation, using a tensioner to urge rivets towards the seat member, which can selectively engage with the welding apparatus, ensuring precise alignment and single rivet introduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated feeding of rivets is implemented, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to jamming and shingling issues
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding system is segmented into distinct functional zones within the channel: a receiving port area, a curved transport region with tensioner application zone, and a dispensing port area. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally, reducing interference and jamming between rivets during automated feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioner acts as an intermediary element between the rivets and the channel walls. It mediates the interaction by applying controlled friction to individual rivets, ensuring they are pushed forward one at a time through the curved region without shingling or jamming, thus improving reliability of automated feeding.
2Manufacturing precision
If rivets are transported in a curved channel, then manufacturing precision is improved for orientation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The channel incorporates a curved region that guides rivets through a controlled arc path. This curvature naturally orients the rivets as they travel from the first port to the second port, ensuring they emerge in a preselected orientation suitable for the resistance spot rivet welding apparatus, thereby improving manufacturing precision without complex additional mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a seat member with selective engagement is used, then reliability is improved for single rivet introduction, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat member provides selective engagement capability that allows precise control over rivet release timing. By having the seat member engage and hold the rivet partially during transport and then release it exactly when needed at the dispensing port, the system ensures single rivet introduction reliability without requiring overly complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Rivet dispenser systems and methods of use thereof are provided. In a non-limiting embodiment, the rivet dispenser system comprises a rivet receiving member defining a channel therein, and a seat member. The channel includes a curved region. The rivet receiving member comprises a first port and a second port. The first port communicates with the channel and is configured to receive rivets. The second port communicates with the channel and is configured to dispense rivets. The channel extends between the first port and the second port and is configured to transport rivets from the first port to the second port in a series arrangement and in a preselected orientation. The seat member communicates with the second port and is configured to selectively engage with a rivet holder of a resistance spot rivet welding apparatus and introduce a single rivet to the rivet holder at one time.