Elliptic Rubber Stopper Supply Device Using Gas Pressure Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for supplying elliptic rubber stoppers to connector terminal receiving chambers often result in blockages and inefficient supply due to the inability to maintain a predefined shape, leading to clogging of the supply route and irregular orientation.
Innovation Solution
An elliptic rubber stopper supply method involving the use of gas pressure to align and correct the shape of the stoppers, utilizing air outlets to rotate and position the stoppers within elliptical holes, preventing interference and ensuring smooth passage through a series of holes and transfer stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional supply methods are used without shape control, then the supply device structure is simple, but the rubber stopper blocks the supply route and supply efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-aligning the rubber stopper's long axis with the guide groove direction before the stopper enters the supply route. The alignment feeder rotates the stopper to a predetermined orientation (long axis parallel to guide groove) before discharge, ensuring the stopper enters the supply route in the correct orientation and preventing blockages before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an alignment feeder as an intermediary device between the storage drum and the supply route. This intermediary component performs the shape correction and orientation alignment function, mediating between the simple storage structure and the requirement for precise stopper orientation in the supply route.
2Reliability
If the rubber stopper is supplied without shape correction, then the supply route structure is simple, but the stopper orientation becomes irregular and causes blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical shape correction mechanisms with a simpler alignment feeder that uses gravitational force and guide grooves to achieve stopper orientation. Instead of using mechanical clamps, rollers, or complex positioning mechanisms, the system relies on the stopper's own weight and the geometry of the guide groove to maintain proper orientation throughout the supply route.
3Manufacturing precision
If the rubber stopper rotates freely in the supply route, then the supply route is easy to construct, but the stopper cannot maintain predefined shape and orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the supply route into distinct functional zones: an alignment zone with oriented guide grooves for orientation control, a transition zone for controlled movement, and a discharge zone. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function (alignment, transport, discharge) while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry in the guide groove design, where the groove dimensions and orientation are specifically tailored to match the asymmetric geometry of the elliptic rubber stopper. The guide groove's cross-sectional shape and angular orientation create a preferential path that naturally guides the stopper in the correct orientation without requiring symmetric constraints.
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 method prevents clogging and ensures steady, smooth supply of elliptic rubber stoppers to the assembly side without changing their circumferential directions, maintaining the elliptical shape and allowing for correct orientation without damaging the flexible stoppers.
Implementation Method 1
spraying alternately a gas on a rubber stopper, of which cross section is formed into an elliptical shape, from both sides of a radial direction more than once in a rubber stopper receiving space
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide an elliptic rubber stopper supply method and device thereof, which can smoothly and steadily supply an elliptic rubber stopper to an assembling side of a rubber stopper without blocking a supply route with the rubber stopper. The elliptic rubber stopper supply device sprays alternately a gas on a rubber stopper, matches a minor axial direction of the rubber stopper to a spraying direction of the gas, and inserts the rubber stopper into an elliptic first hole in that condition. Also, the device includes first shape corrective portion for correcting a shape of the rubber stopper. The first shape corrective portion has a rubber stopper receiving portion and a pair of air outlets for spraying alternately a gas on both side surfaces of the rubber stopper. One of the air outlets is arranged on the one side of the rubber stopper receiving portion, the other is arranged on the other side thereof. Each the air outlet is offset in a rubber stopper axial direction and located.