Metal Bar Feed Device with Lateral Deflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal bar feeding devices for work machines face difficulties in efficiently picking up and aligning metal bars of varying lengths and positions within containers, leading to increased operating times and potential interference during extraction.
Innovation Solution
A feed device with deflector means that allows for lateral movement of the head portions of metal bars, enabling simultaneous extraction and pick-up without interference, even in containers with triangular shapes, by correlating the deflector movement with the state of fullness and position of the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the container is kept stationary with nominal axis aligned with the drawing unit axis, then the alignment with the work machine is maintained, but the bars cannot be picked up efficiently due to their haphazard position in the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable deflector means that can laterally displace bar head portions dynamically during the feeding operation. This allows the system to adapt to the haphazard positions of bars while maintaining overall alignment, resolving the contradiction between stationary alignment and efficient pick-up by making part of the system dynamic rather than fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector means acts as an intermediary element between the stationary container and the magnetic picking means. It mediates the position mismatch by laterally displacing bar heads to align them with the picking means, enabling efficient feed without compromising the stationary aligned position of the container relative to the work machine
2Reliability
If the first magnetic means waits for complete extraction of bars before picking up new bars, then uncontrolled flexions and knocking are prevented, but operating time between loads increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation by allowing the first magnetic means to pick up new bars simultaneously with the extraction of previous bars. The deflector means ensures proper positioning and separation, eliminating the need for waiting periods and maintaining continuous productive action without compromising extraction control
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector means extracts or separates the function of positioning bar heads from the main extraction process. By laterally displacing bar heads independently, it enables the magnetic means to operate continuously on different bars without interference, removing the constraint that required sequential waiting
3Manufacturing precision
If the feed trolley is re-positioned laterally after pick-up, then alignment with the drawing unit axis is restored, but the operating cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the entire trolley laterally to maintain alignment, the patent introduces lateral displacement in a different dimension through the deflector means. The deflector operates transversely to the main feed direction, providing alignment correction without requiring trolley repositioning, thus simplifying the overall positioning operations
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
This solution optimizes the feeding process by allowing continuous extraction and pick-up of metal bars along the machine's axis, reducing operating times and ensuring a desired pick-up order, while the elastic deformation of bars facilitates correct alignment for efficient loading.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic deformation of bars facilitates correct alignment for efficient loading
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method to feed metal bars associated with a work machine including at least a drawing member for the metal bars. The device includes loading members to load one or more metal bars to the work machine, and one or more containing members in which the metal bars are disposed in respective bundles. The device also includes deflector members disposed downstream of the containing members and upstream of the drawing member, and movable laterally in independent manner with respect to the containing members, so as to be able to condition the position of at least a head portion of each of the metal bars picked up, relative to their lying position in the containing members, so as to displace them sideways one by one, or in groups, with respect to a nominal axis (X) in which the metal bars lie stationary in the respective containing member.