Gas Cylinder Cap Thread Alignment to Prevent Fastening Jams
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of fastening and disconnecting protective caps on gas cylinders is challenging due to wear and variations in screw thread angles and sizes, leading to difficulties in applying automated bolting technology and potential jamming issues.
Innovation Solution
A cap automatic fastening apparatus and method that includes detecting the screw thread engagement point by rotating the cap in reverse, aligning it with the fastening start position, and using a control unit to securely fasten the cap to the neck ring, with features like a torque detecting unit and nut runner to ensure precise alignment and secure fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If general automated bolting fastening technology is applied to protective caps, then automation level increases, but fastening success rate decreases due to wear and variations in screw thread angles and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the screw thread engagement point by rotating the cap in reverse direction before actual fastening. This preliminary action identifies the correct starting position and ensures proper alignment, thereby提高 fastening success rate while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses torque detection during reverse rotation to identify the engagement point where torque changes rapidly. This feedback mechanism allows the automated system to adapt to variations in screw thread conditions and determine the correct fastening start position, resolving the contradiction between automation and reliability.
2Productivity
If protective cap is repeatedly fastened and disconnected, then gas cylinder replacement efficiency increases, but jamming phenomenon occurs due to wear and variations in fastening parts
Solution Approach 1:
Before each fastening operation, the system performs preliminary reverse rotation to detect the engagement point. This preliminary action prevents jamming by ensuring the cap starts from the correct position, allowing repeated fastening operations without compromising reliability despite wear and variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque detection system provides real-time feedback during the fastening process, enabling the system to detect and prevent jamming conditions. When the torque waveform shows rapid changes indicating proper engagement, the system confirms successful fastening, thereby maintaining high productivity and reliability in repeated operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If cap is rotated in reverse direction to detect engagement point, then fastening precision increases, but process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical alignment methods with torque-based detection during reverse rotation. By using torque waveform analysis to identify the engagement point, the system achieves high fastening precision without requiring time-consuming mechanical adjustments or manual alignment procedures.
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 apparatus achieves high success rates and low error rates in cap fastening, preventing jamming and ensuring quick, automated cap attachment to gas cylinders.
Implementation Method 1
a torque detecting unit to detect a screw thread engagement point of the cap and the neck ring
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of fastening a cap of a container, the method including: specifying a screw thread engagement point of a cap and a neck ring of a container; and aligning the engagement point with a fastening start position of the cap and fastening the cap to the neck ring, in which the specifying of the engagement point includes detecting the engagement point by rotating the cap in a reverse direction in a state where the cap is seated on the neck ring.