Jointed Billet Push Rod Assembly for Buckling-Free Induction Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing billet pushout rod assemblies in industrial heating lines are limited by short length pushout rods connected by revolute joints, leading to buckling and reduced billet push force, which restricts the robustness and longevity of the system due to repetitive coiling and uncoiling, and increased susceptibility to eddy current heating in electromagnetic fields.

Innovation Solution

A revolute jointed pushout rod assembly using long length pushout rods with a limited pivot motion to prevent buckling, allowing linear storage and arcing deployment, and incorporating magnetic field disruptors to reduce eddy current heating, enabling efficient billet handling and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If short length pushout rods are used and connected by revolute joints to allow coiling storage, then the pushout rod assembly can be stored on reels, but the push force is reduced and buckling occurs between adjacent rods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capabilityVSAvoidbillet push force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The pushout rod assembly is divided into multiple individual pushout rods connected by revolute joints, allowing the assembly to be flexible and coilable for storage while maintaining sufficient length of individual rods to prevent buckling and provide adequate push force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The revolute joints between pushout rods provide dynamic flexibility, allowing the rigid rod assembly to bend and coil during storage and deployment, transitioning from a rigid push configuration to a flexible stored configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If short length pushout rods are used to enable coiling storage, then storage space is optimized, but the service life of revolute joints is reduced due to stress failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidservice life of joints
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly is segmented into multiple rods of optimized length that can be stored coiled while maintaining structural integrity, reducing stress concentration at joints compared to a single long rod

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The length of individual pushout rods is optimized to balance storage coilability with mechanical strength, ensuring joints experience reduced stress during operation and storage cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If long length pushout rods are used to increase billet push force, then push force and robustness are improved, but the rods cannot be coiled for storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebillet push forceVSAvoidstorage capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A single long pushout rod is segmented into multiple shorter rods connected by revolute joints, enabling the assembly to maintain the effective length needed for push force while being flexible enough to coil for storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pushout rod assembly transitions from a rigid long-rod configuration during pushing to a flexible coiled configuration during storage, achieving both high push force and storage capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Force

If traditional pushout rod assemblies are used in electromagnetic fields, then billet pushing is achieved, but eddy current heating occurs in the pushout rods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebillet push forceVSAvoideddy current heating
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pushout rods are designed with features that convert the harmful eddy current heating effect into a beneficial preheating function, heating the billets before forging without significantly heating the pushout rods themselves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The pushout rods utilize material properties and structural design (such as non-conductive coatings or specific material compositions) that reduce eddy current induction in the rods while allowing electromagnetic heating of the billets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The solution enhances the billet pushout system's robustness by reducing buckling and extending the service life of joints, while minimizing eddy current heating, allowing for higher billet push forces and efficient billet handling in electric induction heating lines.

Implementation Method 1

heated billets from an electric induction heating line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3774112B1Induction heating line billet pushout system and method and jointed push rod assembly
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 CLINTON MACHINE INC
  • EP3774112B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3774112B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)
  • EP3774112B1 patent drawingFigure 2(b)

AI summary

A billet pushout system is provided for an electric induction billet heating line with long length revolute jointed pushout rods forming a non-jamming pushout rod assembly that is stored in a linear enclosure connected to an arcuate enclosure that deploys and retracts the pushout rod assembly to and from the electric induction billet heating line.