Metalworking Carousel Rigidity via Dual Upright Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for working metallic bodies, such as aerosol cans, often lack sufficient rigidity and require expensive solutions to ensure correct relative motion between the supporting frame and the elongated element, complicating the fitting and increasing production costs.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a supporting frame with two lateral uprights and angularly spaced guiding elements between the uprights and the longitudinal element, along with adjustment guides to facilitate smooth and rigid movement of the front table and carousel, allowing for reliable and cost-effective plastic deformation of metallic bodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a footing that supports the elongated element in a cantilever arrangement is used, then the apparatus structure is simplified, but sufficient rigidity is not ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplificationVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting frame is divided into two separate lateral uprights instead of a single cantilever footing. Each upright independently supports one end of the elongated element, distributing the mechanical loads and preventing the rigidity issues associated with cantilever structures while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure transitions from a single-point cantilever support (one-dimensional simplification) to a distributed two-point support system (two-dimensional arrangement). This dimensional change provides bilateral support that eliminates the inherent rigidity problems of cantilever arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If two lateral uprights are provided to support the elongated element, then rigidity is improved, but expensive bearings and complicated fitting are required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidfitting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated element itself serves as the guiding mechanism for the front table's movement. By providing guiding portions integrated into the elongated element, the system eliminates the need for separate expensive bearings and complex fitting arrangements, achieving self-guidance through the structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding function is merged into the elongated element structure itself rather than being a separate component. The guiding portions are integral to the elongated element, combining the support and guidance functions into a single structural element that reduces complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If expensive bearings are provided to ensure relative movement, then movement precision is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement precisionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-guidance through integrated guiding portions on the elongated element rather than expensive external bearings. The structural design itself provides the precise movement guidance needed, eliminating costly bearing components while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex bearing assemblies with simpler, more cost-effective guiding structures that achieve the same functional result. The guiding portions are straightforward mechanical features that are much cheaper to manufacture than precision bearings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3025804B1Apparatus for working metallic bodies
Publication Date: 2018.06.27 SPL SOLUZIONI
  • EP3025804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3025804B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for working metallic bodies by plastic deformation, comprising a supporting frame (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 worked (4), fed to the carousel (3) by means of a feeder, 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 working stations (5a) intended to engage sequentially the metallic bodies (4) supported by the carousel (3); the front table is supported by a longitudinal element (6) that is extended substantially parallel to the main rotation axis (100) and the supporting frame (2) comprises a first lateral supporting element and at least one second lateral supporting element (8, 9) for the longitudinal element (6), which are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the front table (5), between the first and second supporting elements (8, 9) and the longitudinal element (6) there being at least one respective guiding element (10) that is extended substantially parallel to the rotation axis (100).