Drawing Chain Recess Alignment for Fast Caliber Range Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caterpillar pulling machines face challenges in easily and reliably changing the caliber range of their drawing chains to accommodate different workpiece cross-sections without damaging the workpieces or requiring complex tool replacements.
Innovation Solution
The method involves aligning the drawing tools with the chain links to adjust the caliber range by displacing the entire drawing chain or its components, allowing the drawing recesses to be aligned perpendicular to the drawing line, enabling a flexible and precise selection of the caliber range without detaching or reconnecting tools, and using a set of drawing tools with different recesses to cover a wide range of workpiece sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drawing tools are displaced independently of chain links to change caliber range, then caliber range can be changed, but drawing tools must be detached and reconnected causing complexity and time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drawing tool displacement with chain link movement by integrating the tool holder directly onto the chain link structure. When the chain link moves axially to change caliber range, the drawing tool moves simultaneously as a unified assembly, eliminating the need for separate tool detachment and reconnection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain link is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the structural element of the drawing chain and as the mounting carrier for the drawing tool. This universal design allows a single component (the chain link) to perform multiple functions: supporting the tool, enabling tool displacement for caliber change, and maintaining chain functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drawing tools are detached and reconnected to change caliber range, then different drawing recesses can be selected, but the process is time-consuming and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic caliber changing mechanism where multiple drawing recesses are permanently mounted on the same chain link in different orientations. During operation, the chain link can be axially displaced to dynamically select which drawing recess aligns with the workpiece, allowing rapid caliber changes without tool detachment or reconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple drawing recesses are pre-mounted on the chain link in various orientations before operation begins. This preliminary arrangement of multiple recesses on a single movable carrier enables immediate selection of the appropriate recess by simply displacing the chain link, eliminating time-consuming tool replacement operations.
3Ease of operation
If drawing tools are fixed to chain links, then alignment is simplified, but caliber range cannot be changed without replacing entire chains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drawing tool into multiple independent drawing recesses that are mounted on the same chain link. Each recess can be independently oriented to handle different caliber ranges, allowing the system to maintain simple alignment (since all recesses are on the same movable link) while achieving high adaptability through selective activation of different recesses.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a caterpillar-track drawing machine with a draw plate and a caterpillar track which is arranged behind the draw plate and which comprises two drawing chains with drawing tools arranged on chain links of the drawing chains, the drawing tools of at least one of the two drawing chains can be oriented jointly with the relevant chain link perpendicularly to the drawing line so that the calibration range between two drawing recesses having different calibration ranges can be easily and safely changed. The latter is possible even if two different drawing recesses of the second of the two drawing chains are determined for a first calibration range for which the first drawing recesses for at least one of the two drawing chains are determined, or if the drawing recesses of a first of the two drawing chains deviate from the drawing recesses of a second of the two drawing chains.