Hooking Mechanism for Rapid Wood Panel Support Replacement

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for supporting wood panels in machine tools are slow to replace and unsafe due to reliance on air pressure for anchoring, leading to productivity losses and potential operator hazards.

Innovation Solution

A device with hooking means featuring anchoring flaps that can be quickly switched between hooking and release positions, maintaining anchoring even without air pressure, allowing rapid plate replacement and ensuring safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If supporting plates are connected to slides via vacuum using pressurized air source, then supporting plates can be anchored securely, but in the event of fault in pressurized air source, supporting plates detach with grave risk of injury to operators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring reliabilityVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring function is segmented into two independent systems: a primary vacuum anchoring system using pressurized air, and a secondary mechanical hooking system using anchoring flaps. This segmentation ensures that failure of one system (vacuum) does not lead to complete loss of anchoring, as the mechanical hooking system provides backup retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical hooking system with anchoring flaps acts as a beforehand cushioning mechanism. It is designed to engage automatically or as backup when the vacuum system fails, providing a safety net that prevents catastrophic plate detachment and protects operators from injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If supporting plates are connected to slides by screw, then connection is secure, but operations of replacing supporting plates become particularly slow and laborious, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidplate replacement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional screw-based mechanical connection is replaced with a vacuum-based anchoring system combined with a simplified mechanical hooking release mechanism. This substitution allows for rapid plate removal by simply disengaging the hooking means, eliminating the time-consuming process of unscrewing multiple fasteners while maintaining secure anchoring during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system transitions from a static screw-based mechanism to a dynamic system where the hooking means can be quickly engaged and disengaged. The anchoring flaps can be rapidly moved between hooking and release positions, enabling fast plate replacement and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If supporting plates are connected via vacuum, then plate replacement can be quick, but in the event of fault in pressurized air source, supporting plates detach with grave risk of injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplate replacement speedVSAvoidanchoring reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring function is segmented into two independent systems: a primary vacuum anchoring system using pressurized air, and a secondary mechanical hooking system using anchoring flaps. This segmentation ensures that failure of one system (vacuum) does not lead to complete loss of anchoring, as the mechanical hooking system provides backup retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical hooking system with anchoring flaps acts as a beforehand cushioning mechanism. It is designed to engage automatically or as backup when the vacuum system fails, providing a safety net that prevents catastrophic plate detachment and protects operators from injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Enables rapid and safe replacement of supporting plates, enhancing machine tool productivity and operator safety by maintaining anchoring in the absence of air pressure.

Implementation Method 1

A vacuum, which is sufficient for maintaining the supporting plate anchored to the slide, is achieved in a chamber obtained between the supporting plate and the slide and communicating with a source of pressurised air.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2371488B1Device for supporting workpieces

Publication Date: 2013.10.30 SCM GRP

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AI summary

A device comprises a slidable element (4) for sliding along a crosspiece element of a machine tool for machining a panel made of wood or similar materials, a supporting element (5) for supporting this panel, and a connecting system (7, 11, 16, 24, 26, 31) for connecting in a releasable manner the supporting element (5) to the slidable element (4). In order to enable the supporting element (5) to be replaced rapidly, the connecting system (7, 11, 16, 24, 26, 31) includes a hooking mechanism (16, 24, 31) supported by the slidable element (4) and a further hooking mechanism (26) supported by the supporting element (5), the hooking mechanism (16, 24, 31) being drivable between a hooking position in which it engages with the further hooking mechanism (26) to fix the supporting element (5) to the slidable element (4) and a release position in which it disengages from the further hooking mechanism (26) to release the supporting element (5) from the slidable element (4).