Floating Shot Pin Assembly for Low-Wear Pin Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current assembly technologies face challenges in combining the actions of a floating pin with a retracting pin, leading to issues like 'dog ear' deformation in aluminum or thin steel parts, pin wear in high martensite steel, and limited repeatability, especially under demanding conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of a floating shot pin assembly that utilizes a pin retainer shaft with a floatable coupler and multi-stage seals, allowing radial and linear movement, which relieves pressure during retraction, reducing wear and deformation, and enhances repeatability by 5 to 50 times compared to standard shot pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard shot pin is used for assembly, then the pin can retract, but it causes 'dog ear' deformation in aluminum or thin steel parts and excessive wear in high martensite steel parts
Solution Approach 1:
The shot pin assembly incorporates a floating mechanism that allows the pin to dynamically adjust its position and movement characteristics. The pin can float within a defined range during retraction, enabling it to adapt to variations in hole positioning and material properties, thereby reducing impact forces that cause dog ear deformation and pin wear
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the movement parameters of the shot pin by introducing a floating coupler mechanism. This allows the pin to transition from rigid retraction to controlled floating motion, modifying the retraction speed, position, and force application characteristics to minimize damage to workpieces and wear to the pin
2Manufacturing precision
If a floating pin mechanism is implemented, then repeatability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shot pin assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the shot pin itself, the floating coupler, the retainer shaft, and the actuator mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall system repeatability through precise interface design and tolerance control
Solution Approach 2:
The floating coupler acts as an intermediary element between the shot pin and the actuator mechanism. It mediates the transmission of motion and force while providing the floating action necessary for improved repeatability, isolating the pin from direct rigid constraints and allowing it to self-align during operation
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method of a floating shot pin combines the actions of a floating pin with a retracting pin. The assembly includes a body having an internal inward taper; and a pin retainer shaft at least partially housed within the body and connected to a cylinder shaft. The pin retainer shaft including a shaped shoulder portion corresponding to the inward taper. In an extended state, the cylinder shaft urges the shaped shoulder portion of the pin retainer shaft to engage with the inward tapered portion of the body creating a locked position to support a workpiece on a pin while work is performed. In a retracted state, the cylinder shaft retracts leaving the locked position allowing the pin retainer shaft to float within tolerances in the connection between the pin retainer shaft and the cylinder shaft thereby relieving pressure on a pin while the workpiece is removed.