Joining Apparatus Ram for Compact Element Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Joining apparatuses require large and expensive linear motors to accommodate joining elements of varying lengths, leading to a bulky and costly design, especially when dealing with greatly differing lengths of joining elements.

Innovation Solution

A compact joining apparatus design utilizing a movable ram within the holding arrangement, which acts as a passive element to determine the length of the joining element, eliminating the need for a separate drive to measure the element's length and allowing for a smaller linear motor stroke, and incorporating a clamping device to secure the ram after transfer, enabling precise positioning and holding of the joining element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a linear motor is used to move the holding arrangement for collecting joining elements, then the joining element can be transferred from the delivery device, but the linear motor requires a relatively large stroke to accommodate joining elements of greatly differing lengths, resulting in a large and expensive joining apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle joining elements of varying lengthsVSAvoidstroke of linear motor

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding arrangement is divided into functionally independent components: the holding device for grasping the joining element and the ram for length measurement. This segmentation allows the linear motor to have a reduced stroke since it only needs to move the holding device for collection, while the ram independently measures the joining element length by extending to contact it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ram acts as an intermediary measuring element between the holding arrangement and the joining element. It extends to contact the joining element to determine its length, providing measurement information without requiring the entire holding arrangement to traverse the full length range of different joining elements, thus reducing the linear motor stroke requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the holding arrangement is moved by a linear motor to collect joining elements, then the joining element can be transferred, but the apparatus becomes expensive and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated joining element collectionVSAvoidsize and cost of linear motor

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a holding device for automated collection and a separate ram for measurement. The linear motor only needs to drive the holding device over a short distance to collect the joining element from the delivery device, while the ram independently performs length measurement by extending to contact the joining element. This reduces the motor size and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ram serves as a dedicated intermediary measuring tool that contacts the joining element to determine its length. This separate measurement function eliminates the need for the linear motor to have a large stroke to accommodate all joining element lengths, thereby reducing motor size, system complexity, and cost while maintaining automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a large stroke linear motor is used to accommodate varying joining element lengths, then all lengths can be handled, but the cycle time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of joining element lengthsVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding arrangement is segmented into a holding device for rapid collection and a ram for quick length measurement. The linear motor moves only the holding device over a short distance to collect the joining element, while the ram independently and rapidly measures the length by extending to contact the element. This parallel operation reduces cycle time compared to moving the entire holding arrangement over a large stroke distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ram as an intermediary measuring element can quickly extend to contact the joining element and determine its length without requiring the entire holding arrangement to traverse the full length range. This rapid measurement process, independent of the linear motor's large stroke requirement, reduces the overall cycle time and increases productivity while maintaining adaptability to various joining element lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2604374B1Joining-element feeding method, joining-element holding arrangement and joining apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.12.13 NEWFREY LLC

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AI summary

Method for feeding a joining element (12) into a holding arrangement (30) of a joining apparatus (16), with the following steps: providing a joining element (12) at a delivery device (74); moving (86; 122) the holding arrangement (30) towards the delivery device (74); transferring the joining element (12) in a feeding direction (107) from the delivery device (74) to a holding device (40) of the holding arrangement (30), wherein, during the transfer into the holding device (40), the joining element carries along a ram (50), which is mounted movably in the feeding direction (107); and measuring the ram displacement (64) by which the ram has been carried along.