Inline Tool Holder Assembly for Low-Friction Spring Balancers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for attaching tools to spring balancers result in increased friction, leading to wear and reduced efficiency in moving and positioning tools on assembly lines.
Innovation Solution
The inline tool holder design includes a shaft collar, mounting plate, and enclosures with a radial attachment mechanism, allowing for free rotation and reduced friction, enabling secure attachment to a spring balancer while minimizing wear and movement inhibition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional attachment means are used to attach tools to spring balancers, then the tools can be suspended and supported, but increased friction occurs at the interface which results in increased wear and inhibition of tool movement
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment interface is segmented into separate functional components: a mounting plate for attachment to the spring balancer, a shaft collar for tool engagement, and enclosures that provide structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while minimizing overall friction at the attachment interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate serves as an intermediary element between the spring balancer and the tool assembly. It provides a dedicated attachment interface that mediates the connection, distributing forces and reducing direct friction between the tool and the spring balancer mechanism.
2Strength
If conventional attachment means are used to secure tools to spring balancers, then the tools can be firmly attached, but the movement and positioning of tools is inhibited due to increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow for controlled movement. The shaft collar can rotate along the tool shaft while maintaining secure attachment, enabling the tool to be positioned and adjusted without excessive friction, thus maintaining both attachment strength and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics at the attachment interface are modified by changing the contact parameters through the mounting plate design. The plate's geometry and contact surfaces are optimized to reduce the coefficient of friction while maintaining sufficient attachment strength for secure tool suspension.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional attachment interfaces are used, then tools can be mounted on spring balancers, but the force required to move and position tools increases due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional direct mechanical attachment is replaced with a refined mechanical system using the mounting plate and shaft collar assembly. This substitution creates a more efficient force transmission path that reduces frictional losses, thereby decreasing the force required to move and position tools while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An inline tool holder including a shaft collar, a mounting plate, a first enclosure, and a second enclosure. The mounting plate is concentrically arranged around the shaft collar and includes a first surface, a second surface, and an attachment mechanism. The first enclosure is removably coupled to the first surface of the mounting plate and the second enclosure is removably coupled to the second surface of the mounting plate. The attachment mechanism of the mounting plate extends radially beyond an outer edge of both the first enclosure and the second enclosure.