Feeder Device Pivoting Feed Finger Prevents Return Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeder devices in terminal crimping systems face issues with return drag, which can damage wires by scraping off protective coatings or severing the conductive core, and interfere with the positioning of fed objects in the crimping zone, leading to misalignment and waste of materials.
Innovation Solution
A feeder device with a pivotable feed finger and a lifting arm that engages and disengages the feed object during the feed stroke, preventing contact during the return stroke to avoid damage and misalignment, utilizing a deflectable tip to pivot the feed finger away from the object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the feed member is forced downwards against the fed object by a biasing member during the feed direction, then the feed member can overcome friction forces and tension to advance the feed object, but the strong force applied by the biasing member prevents the feed member from completely disengaging from the fed object during the return direction, causing damage to the wire
Solution Approach 1:
The feed member transitions from a static downward force application to a dynamic pivoting motion. During the feed direction, the feed member pivots toward the feed object to apply engagement force. During the return direction, the feed member pivots away from the feed object to completely disengage, eliminating the harmful scraping effect while maintaining effective feeding force when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding action is segmented into distinct phases: engagement phase where the feed member pivots toward the object to apply force, and disengagement phase where it pivots away to clear the object. This segmentation allows the system to apply strong force only when necessary for advancing the object, while completely avoiding harmful contact during return motion.
2Ease of operation
If the feed member moves in the return direction with strong force applied by the biasing member, then the feed member can reset to its initial position, but it pulls back on the fed object causing misalignment in the crimping zone
Solution Approach 1:
The feed member uses dynamic pivoting to achieve reset without harmful contact. During the return direction, the feed member pivots away from the feed object, allowing it to reset to its initial position through rotational motion rather than linear withdrawal. This eliminates the pulling back effect that causes misalignment, while still achieving complete reset for the next feeding cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful interaction between the feed member and feed object during return motion is extracted and eliminated. By pivoting the feed member away from the feed object during the return direction, the system removes the source of misalignment (the pulling back force) while maintaining the necessary reset function through the pivoting mechanism itself.
3Productivity
If the feed member engages and disengages the feed object during the feed stroke, then the feed object can be advanced to the crimping zone, but the feed member may scrape the wire and remove protective coating or sever the conductive core
Solution Approach 1:
The feed member employs dynamic pivoting motion to engage and disengage from the feed object. During engagement, it pivots toward the object to apply feeding force efficiently. During disengagement, it pivots away to completely clear the object, preventing scraping that would remove protective coating or sever the conductive core, thus maintaining wire integrity while preserving feeding efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by pivoting the feed member away from the feed object during the return direction before any harmful scraping can occur. This preventive pivoting motion eliminates the possibility of wire damage while maintaining the necessary engagement-disengagement cycle for efficient feeding.
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
Prevents damage to the feed objects by ensuring complete disengagement during the return stroke, maintaining proper alignment and reducing material waste by avoiding interference in the crimping zone.
Implementation Method 1
The deflectable tip is deflected as the feed finger is moved in the feed direction. The deflectable tip is un-deflected as the feed finger is moved in the return direction. The un-deflected tip engaging the feed finger and pivoting the feed finger away from the feed object as the feed finger is moved along the lifting arm in the return direction.
Data Source
AI summary
A feeder device includes a feed finger and a lifting arm. The feed finger is mounted to and movable relative to the frame along a feed stroke in a feed direction and in an opposite return direction. The feed finger is pivotable towards and away from a feed object. The lifting arm is fixedly mounted to the frame. The feed finger moves relative to the lifting arm as the feed finger is moved along the feed stroke. The lifting arm has a deflectable tip engaging the feed finger. The deflectable tip is deflected as the feed finger is moved in the feed direction. The deflectable tip is un-deflected as the feed finger is moved in the return direction. The un-deflected tip engaging the feed finger and pivoting the feed finger away from the feed object as the feed finger is moved along the lifting arm in the return direction.