Robot-Compatible Media Coupling With Conical Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media couplings face challenges in achieving precise and reliable automatic connection and disconnection for metallurgical vessels, particularly in metallurgical processes, due to inaccuracies in positioning and temperature differences, leading to jamming and tilting issues.
Innovation Solution
A media coupling design with three triangular contact surfaces and flexible additional elements, featuring a conical shank and sleeve with adjustable opening angles to prevent self-locking, allowing for precise positioning and easy release, and additional positioning aids for rotational orientation, enabling reliable and automatic handling by industrial robots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard quick couplings with precise centering pins and spring compensation systems are used, then connection precision is improved, but jamming and tilting occur due to metallurgical vessel positioning inaccuracies and temperature differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the positioning aids - using a conical shank with a specifically designed opening angle (between 5° and 15°) instead of traditional precise centering pins. This parameter change allows the system to tolerate positioning inaccuracies up to 10mm while preventing jamming and tilting through the self-aligning conical geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements including a movable holding element that can transition between open and closed states, and flexible additional elements that can adapt to temperature differences and positioning variations. The conical shank and sleeve also provide dynamic self-adjustment capability during connection
2Stability of the object's composition
If conical shank and sleeve with small opening angles are used for self-locking, then connection stability is improved, but removal requires considerable effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the holding mechanism dynamic by introducing a movable holding element that can switch between closed (locking) and open (releasing) states. This allows the connection to be stable during operation but easily removable when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the opening angle of the conical shank and sleeve to a specific range (5°-15°) that provides sufficient friction for stability during operation but allows easy removal when the holding mechanism is released, avoiding the self-locking effect of smaller angles
3Reliability
If precise centering and alignment of gas and electric plugs are required, then connection reliability is improved, but automatic handling by robots becomes problematic due to positioning tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the positioning approach from precise point-contact centering pins to conical surfaces with optimized opening angles that can accommodate larger positioning tolerances (up to 10mm). This enables automatic robotic handling while maintaining connection reliability through the self-aligning conical geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the positioning function from the connection function by using dedicated conical positioning aids (shank and sleeve) that handle alignment independently, allowing the gas and electric plugs to be connected without requiring high precision positioning
Data Source
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AI summary
A media coupling comprises a fixed part (1) and a loose part (2). The loose part (2) can be moved from a disconnected position to a connected position by moving it towards the fixed part (1) in a joining direction (z), and back to the disconnected position by moving it in the opposite direction. In the disconnected position, the loose part (2) is separated from the fixed part (1); in the connected position, it is connected to the fixed part (1). The fixed part (1) and the loose part (2) each have, on their sides facing each other in the connected position, main positioning aids (4, 5) that cooperate with each other and position the loose part (2) relative to the fixed part (1) when moving it into the connected position, perpendicular to the joining direction (z). The fixed part (1) and the loose part (2) each have exactly three bearing surfaces (6, 7), each forming a triangle, which are fixed on the fixed part (1) and the loose part (2), at least in the joining direction (z).In at least one pair of contact surfaces (6, 7) of the fixed part (1) and the loose part (2), a channel (12) opens for guiding a gaseous medium. The fixed part (1) and the loose part (2) are always in contact with each other in the connected position. This can be the sole condition. However, if the fixed part (1) and the loose part (2) are also in contact with each other with further elements (8 to 11) in the connected position, the further elements (8 to 11) are flexibly arranged on the fixed part (1) and/or on the loose part (2), at least in the joining direction (z).