Mechanical Plate Connection Assembly With Self-Locking Balls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection devices for multi-connection plates in the steel industry face safety concerns due to unreliable locking mechanisms that can be activated during plate closure, leading to potential malfunctions and risks, especially in high-temperature environments, and require complex hydraulic systems that increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A connection device featuring a shaft with a piston and a sleeve that uses locking members to secure the plates with a single pressure command, incorporating mechanical locking elements and pneumatic control to ensure stable and secure coupling without external pressure or energy, utilizing locking balls and a locking ring with a truncated conical surface for reliable axial locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is activated during plate closure, then the connection is secured, but safety risks and potential malfunctions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the locking members (balls) in recesses of the fixed plate and preparing the locking ring with truncated conical surfaces before the plates are brought together. The robotic cell performs preliminary centering and engagement of the shaft, ensuring that when the plates close, the locking mechanism is already prepared to engage safely without activation during closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-activating through the natural closing force of the plates. As the mobile plate closes against the fixed plate, the axial force automatically drives the locking balls into the locking positions on the locking ring, eliminating the need for external activation during closure and preventing malfunction risks.
2Reliability
If complex hydraulic systems are used for locking, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic locking systems with a purely mechanical locking mechanism. The locking balls and locking ring with truncated conical surfaces create a self-contained mechanical locking system that uses the natural closing force of the plates to engage and maintain the connection, eliminating hydraulic complexity while ensuring stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical locking system is self-actuating through the plate closing force itself. The truncated conical surfaces of the locking ring automatically guide and secure the locking balls as the plates close, creating a self-servicing locking mechanism that requires no external hydraulic control systems.
3Reliability
If external pressure is continuously applied to maintain locking, then connection security is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to maintain connection security without continuous external pressure or energy input. Once the locking balls engage with the locking ring during plate closure, the mechanical geometry of the truncated conical surfaces maintains the locked position through the natural forces of the connected plates, eliminating the need for continuous energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates spring elements that provide preliminary cushioning and force storage. These springs are pre-compressed to store mechanical energy that assists in driving the locking balls into position and maintaining the locked state without requiring continuous external pressure or energy input during operation.
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
The solution provides a safe, reliable, and cost-effective mechanical locking mechanism that maintains secure connections without external pressure, offering flexibility and adaptability in high-temperature environments, with reduced wear and increased cycling capabilities through the use of locking balls and a pneumatic control system.
Implementation Method 1
a piston, integral with the shaft, movable within the main cavity of the body and dividing the main cavity into a front chamber and a rear chamber
Data Source
AI summary
This connection device (D) comprises a shaft (17) which is mobile in translation, a piston (19) integral with the shaft (17), a sleeve (35) which extends around the shaft (17), this sleeve being movable between a rear position and a forward position, and locking members housed in the sleeve (35), each locking member being movable relative to the sleeve between a locking configuration and a release configuration. The shaft (17) is movable between a disconnected position in which the shaft (17) does not oppose movement of the locking members to their release configuration, and the sleeve (35) is in the forward position, and a connected position in which the shaft (17) opposes movement of the locking members into their release configuration and the sleeve (35) is in the rear position, through an intermediate position, in which the shaft (17) opposes movement of the locking members into their release configuration and the sleeve (35) is in the forward position.