Dowel Insertion Device with Interchangeable Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for inserting dowels into pre-drilled workpieces are complex and expensive, making them unsuitable for converting to different dowel specifications and requiring significant intervention, and are not suitable for close spacing in production lines.
Innovation Solution
A device with a linear arrangement of the setting head and cylinder, allowing for narrow design and easy conversion between dowel sizes, featuring an exchangeable guide and adjustable ram, and a pivoting mechanism for precise alignment and secure locking, enabling the use of various dowel formats and sizes without extensive modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional devices are used for inserting dowels, then dowel insertion can be performed, but the device structure becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a support structure, a setting head for positioning, and an interchangeable guide for different dowel sizes. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and inexpensive while maintaining overall functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide is designed as an interchangeable component that can accommodate different dowel diameters and types (including wedge dowels with different head diameters). This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices, reducing complexity and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional devices are converted to different dowel specifications, then different dowel sizes can be used, but significant modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is designed as a movable, interchangeable component rather than a fixed structure. This dynamic design allows quick conversion between different dowel specifications by simply replacing the guide, without requiring modifications to the main device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device accommodates different dowel specifications by changing the guide parameter (its geometry and dimensions) rather than modifying the entire device. The plunger diameter can also be adjusted in conjunction with guide replacement to match different dowel sizes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If devices are made wider for stability, then structural stability improves, but the device cannot accommodate close spacing in production lines
Solution Approach 1:
The device achieves stability not through width but through vertical support structure and precise positioning mechanisms in the vertical dimension. The setting head with its side parts and pivoting flap provides stability while maintaining a narrow horizontal profile of less than 30 mm.
4Extent of automation
If manual operation is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but automated insertion into production lines is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a pivoting flap with spring tension that automatically closes and locks after dowel insertion. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual resetting while keeping the overall structure simple enough for automated production line integration.
Data Source
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Figure 8
AI summary
In a device arranged on a carrier for inserting dowels into pre-drilled workpieces, a setting head (6) projecting from the carrier (2) is provided towards the workpiece (5), which has a receptacle (27) for a supplied dowel and a guide (16) for inserting the dowel into the bore of the workpiece (5) and in which the head (6) has a rear opening in line with the guide (16), which is penetrated by a piston or a plunger (7) of a cylinder (10) connected to the piston.