Electromagnetic Bit Holder for Automated Screw Connection Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetised screwdriver bits used in automated screw connection manufacturing suffer from contamination by adhering metal chips, which complicates cleaning and can negatively impact the quality of screw connections and contaminate workpieces.

Innovation Solution

A bit holder with a controllable electromagnet is used to magnetise and demagnetise the screwdriver bit, allowing for controlled magnetic interaction and easier cleaning by reversing the polarity and inducing vibrations to detach metal chips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a permanent magnet is used to magnetise the screwdriver bit, then the screw is retained more securely during automated manufacturing, but metal chips adhere strongly to the bit making cleaning elaborate and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretaining forceVSAvoidcleaning process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the static permanent magnet with a dynamic electromagnet system that can be controlled to switch between magnetised and demagnetised states. The electromagnet is activated during screw driving to provide retaining force, then deactivated during cleaning to enable easy removal of metal chips, making the magnetic property adjustable rather than fixed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the magnetic field parameter from a constant state (permanent magnet) to a variable state (electromagnet) that can be switched on and off. This parameter change allows the system to adapt between two operational modes: high magnetic field for screw retention and zero magnetic field for easy cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the screwdriver bit remains magnetised during operation, then unintentional detachment of the screw is prevented, but contamination from adhering metal chips becomes critical after multiple operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew retentionVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic switching of the electromagnet between active and inactive states. The electromagnet is activated during screw driving operations to prevent detachment, then deactivated between operations to allow metal chips to be easily removed, creating a periodic cycle of magnetisation and demagnetisation that alternates between preventing detachment and enabling cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the harmful magnetic field during cleaning operations by deactivating the electromagnet. This temporary removal of the magnetic field eliminates the force holding metal chips to the bit, allowing easy removal of contamination without mechanical cleaning efforts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Force

If a permanent magnet is integrated on the bit holder, then the screwdriver bit is magnetised for secure screw holding, but the magnetic interaction with metal chips requires elaborate cleaning processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic retaining forceVSAvoidcleaning process

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical permanent magnet with an electromagnetic system that can be controlled electrically. This substitution allows the magnetic field to be turned on and off via electrical control, replacing the always-active mechanical magnetism with a controllable electromagnetic field that can be deactivated for cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively reduces magnetic adhesion forces, simplifying the cleaning process from metal chips, eliminating the need for elaborate mechanical cleaning and ensuring the quality of screw connections.

Implementation Method 1

The bit holder features an electromagnet for magnetising the screwdriver bit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the electromagnet is arranged inside the hollow shaft behind the bit receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 3

the bit receptacle and/or the screwdriver bit can be made to vibrate. This is in particular intended to make it possible to free the screwdriver bit from adhering metal chips by means of vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20240082998A1Bit holder for a magnetisable screwdriver bit, device for the automated manufacture of screw connections and procedure for the operation of a device for the automated manufacture of screw connections

Publication Date: 2024.03.14 HELLA GMBH & CO KGAA

AI summary

A device is provided for the automated manufacture of screw connections. A jointed arm robot has an output element and an end link. The output element is arranged on the end link so as to be rotatable around an effector axis (wE). A screwdriving tool is rotatable around the effector axis (wE) by the output element. The device features at least one transmission operatively connected to the output element and the screwdriving tool, and transmits a speed between the output element and the screwdriving tool.