Metal Forming Carousel Drive With Direct Motor Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional apparatuses for processing metallic bodies by plastic deformation face limitations at high speeds, requiring mechanical intervention to adjust the rod-and-crank assembly, and have high production costs, making them less reliable and economically disadvantageous.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a direct drive system with a constantly engaged actuation motor and actuation shaft, incorporating a braking mechanism directly on the actuation shaft and a counterweight for stable motion control, allowing for synchronized motion of the front table and carousel without mechanical adjustments, and uses a control unit to manage motor operations for flexible speed variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a conventional flywheel and brake-clutch transmission system is used, then the apparatus can operate at standard speeds, but mechanical intervention is required to adjust the rod-and-crank assembly when operating at high speeds, reducing reliability and increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating speedVSAvoidmechanical adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical transmission system (flywheel and brake-clutch) with a direct drive system where the actuation motor connects directly to the actuation shaft. This eliminates the need for mechanical adjustments to the rod-and-crank assembly when varying speeds, as the control unit can electronically adjust motor parameters to maintain optimal performance across different operating speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical intervention on the rod-and-crank assembly is performed to vary travel at high speeds, then speed adaptation is achieved, but production costs increase and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed variation capabilityVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control approach from mechanical parameter adjustment (modifying rod-and-crank assembly travel) to electrical parameter control (adjusting motor speed, torque, and positioning via control unit). This allows the apparatus to adapt to different operating speeds without mechanical intervention, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving speed variation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a conventional transmission system with flywheel is used, then motion can be transmitted to the rod-and-crank assembly, but the apparatus requires mechanical parts intervention when speed varies, making it less economically advantageous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the flywheel and brake-clutch components from the transmission system, simplifying the overall apparatus structure. This reduction in mechanical components not only lowers manufacturing costs but also eliminates the need for maintenance and adjustments when operating at varying speeds, thereby improving productivity and economic advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If a direct drive system with control unit is used, then mechanical intervention is eliminated and operational flexibility is improved, but the system requires precise control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational easeVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical adjustment system with an electronic control system that manages the actuation motor. The control unit receives signals and adjusts motor parameters electronically, which is simpler to operate and maintain than mechanical adjustments, even though it introduces electronic control components. This substitution improves ease of operation while keeping the control system manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 ensures reliable and flexible operation at varying speeds without mechanical intervention, reducing production costs and enhancing operational efficiency by maintaining a consistent transmission ratio and high braking torque, thus improving the apparatus's economic and technical performance.

Implementation Method 1

an actuation motor (10) for moving the front table (5) and connecting means (20) between an actuation shaft (11), supported so that it can rotate by the supporting framework (2), and the front table (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

braking means (30) that act directly on the actuation shaft (11)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3380260B1Apparatus for processing metallic bodies
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 SPL SOLUZIONI
  • EP3380260B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3380260B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3380260B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for processing metallic bodies by plastic deformation, which comprises a supporting framework (2) for a carousel (3) that can rotate intermittently about a main rotation axis (100) and defines a plurality of supporting seats (3a) for respective metallic bodies to be processed fed to the carousel (3) by way of a feeder device, a front table (5) being provided which can move with an alternating translational motion along a direction that is substantially parallel to the main rotation axis (100) of the carousel (3), the front table (5) supporting a plurality of processing stations (5a) that are designed to engage sequentially the metallic bodies supported by the carousel (3), an actuation motor (10) being provided for moving the front table (5) and connecting means (20) being provided between an actuation shaft (11), supported so that it can rotate by the supporting framework (2), and the front table (5), the connecting means (20) being adapted to convert the rotation of the actuation shaft (11) into alternating translational motion of the front table (5), the actuation motor (11) being constantly engaged with the actuation shaft (10).