Discharge System Coupler Alignment Guide Pin Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional discharge systems for applying and refilling fluid, such as sealing agents or adhesives, at automobile assembly plants face issues with axial offset between couplers, leading to poor connections and problems like fluid leaks and coupler wear during refilling operations.
Innovation Solution
A discharge system design that aligns the discharge-side coupler with the refill-side coupler by moving them along an axial line, using a manipulator to ensure proper alignment and connection, and incorporates a disconnection preventive mechanism to maintain the connection during refilling, preventing separation and fluid leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the discharge-side coupler and refill-side coupler are connected without alignment measures, then the connection process is simple, but axial offset occurs causing poor connection, fluid leaks, and coupler wear
Solution Approach 1:
A guide pin is introduced as an intermediary component between the discharge-side coupler and refill-side coupler. The guide pin fits into a guide hole in the refill-side coupler and extends from the discharge-side coupler, serving as a mechanical mediator that automatically aligns the two couplers during connection. This eliminates axial offset without requiring complex alignment mechanisms, as the guide pin-gate hole combination provides self-aligning functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide pin is positioned in advance on the discharge-side coupler, and the guide hole is pre-formed in the refill-side coupler. When the couplers approach each other, the guide pin automatically engages with the guide hole before the main connection occurs, preliminarily establishing axial alignment. This preliminary alignment action prevents offset during the subsequent connection process, ensuring reliable coupling without requiring active control systems.
2Ease of operation
If the couplers are allowed to slide during connection, then the connection process is flexible, but wear of the couplers occurs due to mutual sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin serves as a mediator that transfers the alignment function away from the main coupler surfaces. By concentrating the alignment function in the guide pin-gate hole interface, the main coupler surfaces are protected from sliding contact. The guide pin absorbs the alignment movements, preventing wear on the primary sealing and connection surfaces of the couplers, thereby improving durability while maintaining connection flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge-side coupler is moved off-axis during connection, then connection is possible from different positions, but axial offset occurs causing connection problems
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pin acts as a tolerant intermediary that can accommodate small positional variations. The guide hole in the refill-side coupler is designed with sufficient clearance to receive the guide pin even when there are minor deviations in approach position. This allows the system to adapt to variations in connection positioning while the guide pin ensures that once engagement occurs, proper axial alignment is established, maintaining manufacturing precision for the actual connection.
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose is to provide a discharge system that adopts an optimal structure for connecting a discharging device to a refilling device in a substantially aligned fashion by moving the discharging device. A discharge system includes a discharging device, a refilling device, a discharge-side coupler, a refill-side coupler, and a manipulator. The discharge-side coupler is connectable to the refill-side coupler by relatively moving the discharge-side coupler in an axial line N direction of the refill-side coupler and fluid can be refilled from the refilling device side to the discharging device side. A coupling position between the manipulator and the discharging device reaches on the axial line N when connecting the refill-side coupler and the discharge-side coupler.