Fastener Reverser for Compact Supply Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastener suppliers require a tube bend radius greater than or equal to a predetermined value to prevent fastener entrapment, leading to increased size and installation space.
Innovation Solution
A fastener supplier system with a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path, and a reverser that includes a holder to change the orientation of fasteners from a first conveyance state to a second conveyance state by displacing the holder within a plane orthogonal to the opening axes, allowing the fasteners to be directed toward the inlet of the second conveyance path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tube bend radius is increased to prevent fastener entrapment, then the reliability of fastener conveyance is improved, but the volume of the fastener supplier increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of bending the tube to change conveyance direction, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the tube straight and rotating the holder (which receives and supplies fasteners) to orient the fastener supply direction. This inversion eliminates the need for large bend radii while achieving the same functional goal of directing fasteners to the correct path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from changing direction through spatial curvature (tube bending in 3D space) to changing direction through rotational movement of the holder. The holder rotates around an axis perpendicular to the tube axis, allowing the fastener supply direction to be changed without requiring the tube itself to bend, thus reducing the volume required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tube is bent to change conveyance direction, then the adaptability of the conveyance path is improved, but the area occupied by the tube increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be rotatable, transforming a static tube configuration into a dynamic system where the holder's orientation can be changed. This rotational capability provides the necessary adaptability to direct fasteners along different conveyance paths without requiring the tube to be bent or reconfigured, maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The directional change function is extracted from the tube and assigned to the holder. Instead of the tube performing both conveyance and direction-changing functions (which would require bending), the holder is given the additional function of orienting fasteners, allowing the tube to remain straight and compact.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fastener supplier 100 includes: a first conveyance path 1 that includes an outlet 32 having a first opening axis X1 and conveys a fastener F; a second conveyance path 5 that includes an inlet 51 having a second opening axis X2 different from the first opening axis X1 and conveys the fastener F from the inlet 51 to a fastening position; and a reverser 4 including a holder 41 that receives the fastener F ejected from the outlet 32 from an ejection-side end of the fastener F and holds the fastener F, and the reverser 4 supplies the fastener F to the inlet 51 with a supply-side end of the fastener F directed toward the inlet 51 along a second opening axis X2 by displacing the holder.