Leak Testing Machine With Rotary Sealing Plate Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current leak testing machines for industrial workpieces, such as cylinder heads and engine blocks, require multiple machines for different workpiece types, leading to increased complexity, production costs, and downtime due to the need for redundant systems and frequent retooling, especially in flexible manufacturing environments.
Innovation Solution
A leak testing machine equipped with an integrated sealing plate changeover device that allows for rapid exchange of sealing plates, enabling a single machine to test multiple workpiece types without retooling, and includes a rotary indexing table for efficient workpiece handling, reducing the need for multiple machines and simplifying maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple leak testing machines are used for different workpiece types, then testing capability for various workpieces is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single leak testing machine that can test multiple workpiece types (cylinder heads, engine blocks, crankcases) by equipping it with interchangeable sealing plates. Each sealing plate is designed with specific sealing arrangements matching different workpiece connection regions, allowing one machine to perform functions previously requiring multiple dedicated machines
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plate is divided into modular components including a base plate and interchangeable sealing arrangements that can be attached or removed. This segmentation allows rapid changeover between different workpiece types without replacing the entire sealing system, reducing complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sealing plates are kept for different workpiece types, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time due to changeover increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing plates are pre-positioned on a rotary indexing table in advance, ready for immediate selection. When a changeover is needed, the rotary table can quickly rotate to bring the required sealing plate into position, eliminating the need for manual searching or complex changeover procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plate selection system is made dynamic through the rotary indexing table that can automatically rotate and position different sealing plates based on the workpiece type being tested. This dynamic positioning system replaces static, manual changeover with automated, rapid reconfiguration
3Ease of operation
If redundant sealing plates are stored for quick changeover, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage function for multiple sealing plates is merged with the positioning function by integrating the sealing plate holders directly into the rotary indexing table. This combination eliminates the need for separate storage racks or complex retrieval mechanisms, achieving quick changeover without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible leak testing machine for tightness testing of a cylinder head, an engine block or similar workpiece has at least one sealing plate, a machine frame with at least one workpiece holding device for the workpiece and an adjusting device with a first drive for bringing together the workpiece and the sealing plate into a test position. The leak testing machine is flexibly usable in that it includes a changeover device for sealing plates. The changeover device has an adjustable holding arrangement on the machine frame, with sealing plate holders and an associated drive for sealing plate changeover.