Offset Compensation in Automatic Locking Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic locking systems for mounting blanks require stable locking, which restricts access to certain surfaces for treatment, necessitate multiple positionings, and often require skilled labor, leading to precision issues and potential damage due to deformation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a T-shaped hollow body and U-shaped base forming an inner seat for a frustum-shaped jacket, allowing transverse movement of a piston and traction element to compensate for offset between the fixing hole and centering bush, enabling stable locking and working on multiple surfaces with improved precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If both spacing elements of the locking device are brought into contact with two opposite side faces of the piece to achieve stable locking, then locking stability is improved, but the side faces are no longer accessible for working operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a 2D locking approach (contacting two opposite side faces) to a 3D spherical locking approach. The piece is locked in a spherical cradle formed by two hemispherical locking elements, allowing stable locking while maintaining accessibility to all surfaces through the spherical geometry that contacts the piece at multiple points simultaneously.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the piece is locked with three surfaces unavailable for working, then locking stability is improved, but the number of working surfaces is reduced and multiple positionings are required
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical cradle locking system uses three-dimensional spherical geometry to achieve stable locking while preserving accessibility to all surfaces. The hemispherical elements contact the piece at multiple distributed points, creating stability without obscuring working surfaces, thereby eliminating the need for multiple positionings and improving productivity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple successive positionings and lockings are performed to work on different surfaces, then all surfaces can be accessed, but positioning errors accumulate and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical cradle provides inherent centering and positioning in three dimensions, eliminating the need for multiple successive positionings. The piece is centered automatically within the spherical geometry, and all surfaces remain accessible from this single positioned state, preventing accumulation of positioning errors and maintaining high manufacturing precision.
4Ease of operation
If the piece is repositioned and relocked multiple times, then all surfaces can be worked on, but time is consumed and skilled labor is required
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical cradle locking system allows all surfaces to be accessed from a single positioned state, eliminating the need for repeated unlocking and repositioning operations. This dramatically reduces the time required for setup and eliminates the need for skilled labor to perform delicate positioning operations, while maintaining easy operation for all workers.
5Stability of the object's composition
If brackets contact already worked surfaces to enable locking, then stable locking is achieved, but the piece may be damaged by local deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical cradle distributes locking contact forces across multiple points on the piece's surface rather than concentrating them at bracket contact points. This distributed contact through spherical geometry achieves stable locking while minimizing local deformation and damage to already worked surfaces, eliminating the harmful effect of concentrated bracket contact.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for compensating the offset in automatic locking systems for the mounting of blanks comprising a box-like body composed of a T-shaped hollow body and a U-shaped base, which form an inner seat for a frustum-shaped jacket, which is arranged coaxially to the shank of the hollow body and above a piston, which can move transversely to the shank, a traction element being slideably arrangeable in the shank of the hollow body, the traction element cooperating selectively with balls which can be accommodated within openings provided in the shank and within second seats provided on the jacket, elastically compressible elements being arranged between the head of the hollow body and the jacket.