Pulsed Air Feeding for Reliable Joining Element Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for feeding joining elements into a holding arrangement of a joining apparatus are inefficient, particularly due to high compressed air consumption, which leads to energy losses and complexity in implementation.
Innovation Solution
A method that utilizes a pulsed air flow by successively turning the compressed air source on and off during the conveyance of joining elements through the feeding hose, reducing air consumption without extending cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressed air is continuously supplied to feed joining elements through the feeding hose, then the joining elements are reliably conveyed to the holding arrangement, but compressed air consumption is high leading to energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by switching the compressed air supply on and off in cycles during the feeding process. The air supply is activated only during specific phases when joining elements need to be propelled through the feeding hose, and deactivated during other phases. This periodic supply pattern maintains reliable element delivery while significantly reducing overall compressed air consumption compared to continuous supply.
2Reliability
If compressed air is continuously supplied to ensure reliable feeding, then joining elements are consistently delivered, but cycle time increases due to prolonged air supply duration
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic switching of compressed air supply ensures that air is provided only during necessary intervals for element propulsion. By activating air supply in timed cycles rather than continuously, the system maintains consistent element delivery reliability while reducing the total duration of air supply within each feeding cycle, thereby reducing overall cycle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses preliminary action by activating compressed air supply in advance of when joining elements are actually needed at the holding arrangement. The periodic air supply is timed to propel elements through the feeding hose before they are required, ensuring readiness without requiring continuous air supply throughout the entire cycle duration.
3Ease of operation
If conventional compressed air feeding is used, then joining elements can be supplied to the holding arrangement, but the system complexity increases due to air network infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the feeding function from the centralized compressed air network infrastructure. Instead of relying on the air network to continuously supply elements, the system extracts only the necessary air supply moments and generates compressed air locally on-demand using an integrated compressor. This eliminates the need for complex air network routing and infrastructure while maintaining feeding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by incorporating an integrated compressor that generates compressed air locally within the feeding system. This self-contained approach eliminates dependence on external air network infrastructure, allowing the system to generate and manage its own compressed air supply as needed, thereby reducing overall system complexity and infrastructure requirements.
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 approach achieves a significant reduction in compressed air consumption, up to 30%, without impacting the cycle time or the reliability of joining element delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed air source configured to supply compressed air, and a feeding hose through which the joining elements are conveyed individually from the supply unit to the holding arrangement of the joining head via compressed air supplied by the compressed air source in the feeding hose
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
Method for feeding joining elements into a holding arrangement of a joining apparatus, with the following steps: - providing a joining apparatus (10) comprising: - a supply unit (S), - a joining head (12) with the holding arrangement (16), - a compressed air source (30) configured to supply compressed air, and - a feeding hose (24) through which the joining elements are conveyed individually from the supply unit to the holding arrangement of the joining head via compressed air supplied by the compressed air source in the feeding hose, - providing at least one joining element (18) in the supply unit (S), - feeding one joining element (18) from the supply unit to the joining head (12) through the feeding hose, wherein a control unit (32) commands the compressed air source (30) to be successively turned on and off during the convoy of the fastening element (18) in the feeding hose (24) from the supply unit (S) to the joining head (12) such that a pulsed air flow is supplied in the feeding hose (24).