Inclined Transfer Disk Work Insertion Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work insertion devices are difficult to miniaturize and cost-reduce due to the need for a horizontally oriented transfer table and a ball feeder, which increases size and expense.

Innovation Solution

A work insertion device with a transfer disk inclined at a sharp angle, featuring storage holes arranged at equal angular intervals, a work storage chamber, anti-drop mechanism, and a guiding mechanism with positive and negative pressure air passages to push and guide works into concaved parts on a tape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a horizontally oriented transfer table and ball feeder are used, then work insertion function is achieved, but device size increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework insertion functionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the ball feeder component from the system entirely. Instead of using a ball feeder to supply works to the transfer table, the invention uses a work storage chamber that directly feeds works into the storage holes of the transfer disk through gravitational force and structural design, thereby eliminating the need for the ball feeder and reducing device size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal transfer table configuration by using an inclined transfer disk that rotates about an axis inclined at 45 degrees to the horizontal plane. This inversion allows works to be fed from above through gravity rather than requiring lateral ball feeder mechanisms, thus reducing device footprint while maintaining insertion functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a horizontally oriented transfer table and ball feeder are used, then work insertion function is achieved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework insertion functionVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The work storage chamber is designed to automatically feed works into the storage holes using gravitational force and the inclined structure, without requiring external ball feeder mechanisms. This self-service feeding mechanism reduces system complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining reliable work insertion functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the transfer disk rotates faster intermittently, then productivity increases, but work dropping out increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintermittent turning speedVSAvoidwork retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a work anti-drop means that generates an upward force counteracting gravity to prevent works from dropping out of the storage holes during rapid intermittent rotation. This counterbalancing mechanism allows the transfer disk to rotate faster while maintaining reliable work retention, thus increasing productivity without sacrificing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The work anti-drop means is activated in advance during the rotation phase to prevent works from dropping before they can be inserted into the tape. By applying preventive measures during the transfer motion, the system enables faster intermittent rotation speeds while ensuring works remain securely in place until insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 a compact, low-cost device with increased intermittent turning speed and reliable work insertion, reducing the need for a ball feeder and allowing for flexible unit changes in work insertion.

Implementation Method 1

a work push-out means for forcibly pushing out the works stored in the multiple storage holes constituting the storage hole group through the downward-facing openings of the holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive pressure air: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a work guiding means, which includes multiple guiding passages that incline downward toward the multiple concaved parts in the tape from the downward-facing openings of the multiple storage holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure air: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

a work anti-drop means for preventing the works stored in the multiple storage holes constituting the storage hole group from dropping out through the downward-facing openings of the holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9248927B2Work insertion device

Publication Date: 2016.02.02 TAIYO YUDEN KK

AI summary

A work insertion device that can be constituted as a small, low-cost device has a structure where a transfer disk having many storage holes formed through its outer periphery part is placed such that its rotation center line is inclined upward to form a sharp angle α with a vertical line and that some of the many storage holes are positioned in the work storage chamber. The works stored in bulk state in the work storage chamber are directly stored in some of the many storage holes positioned in the work storage chamber by utilizing the intermittent turning of the transfer disk.