Assembly Press Toolholder With Quick-Release Retaining Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing toolholders for presses require lengthy and tiring operations for tool changing, leading to potential Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) due to the need for frequent manipulation and screwing of tools, which is cumbersome and risky.
Innovation Solution
A toolholder design featuring movable retaining elements that can be easily activated or deactivated through a simple movement of an actuation member, allowing for quick and secure mounting and demounting of tools without the need for extensive manipulation, utilizing a cam and spring mechanism for elastic biasing and rotation-based operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tool is fixed to a toolholder by means of a screw that is screwed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool, then the tool can be retained within a housing formed on the toolholder, but the operation of mounting the tool requires the tool to be held in the toolholder during the screwing step, which is time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The toolholder is designed to automatically hold the tool during the screwing operation. The housing formed on the toolholder provides automatic retention of the tool during mounting, eliminating the need for the operator to manually hold the tool while screwing it in place.
2Reliability
If a tool is screwed directly to a toolholder, then the tool can be securely attached, but the operator has to manipulate, in particular in rotation and in translation, a tool that may be heavy, and to do this within a limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The toolholder is designed with a housing that segments the attachment process into two independent operations: first, the tool is simply inserted into the housing along the longitudinal axis; second, the screw is independently screwed into the toolholder. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex simultaneous manipulation of the tool in multiple directions.
3Device complexity
If retaining elements are fixed relative to the tool and to the toolholder, then the structure is simple, but manipulations effected by the operator, in particular rotation of the tool, are required to enable the cooperation of the nesting and retaining elements
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the tool insertion process. The retaining elements can move to accommodate the tool during insertion and then secure it in place, eliminating the need for complex rotational manipulations by the operator.
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 design significantly reduces the time and effort required for tool changes, minimizing the risk of MSDs and improving operator comfort by enabling rapid and reliable tool fixation and release.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a cam and spring mechanism for elastic biasing and rotation-based operation
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a cam and spring mechanism for elastic biasing
Data Source
AI summary
Toolholder (10) for a press (100), in particular for an assembly press (100) having:an axis (A 11),an actuation member (14), andretaining elements (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) arranged to retain a tool (20),the toolholder being configured and/or arranged so that the retaining elements (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) are movable from an activated position to a deactivated position by virtue of a movement in a first direction of the actuation member (14), in particular by an elementary movement in the first direction of the actuation member (14).