Universal Punch Tip With Wedge Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional punch assemblies require frequent maintenance and modification, with releasable punch tips being assembly-specific, leading to high time and expense due to the need for multiple stock holdings of different tip shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A universal punch tip design featuring a punch body with a central cavity and ancillary components, including a cam, carrier body, and wedge members, allowing for easy securement and release of the punch tip across various punch assembly types through adjustable locking configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If punch tips are made assembly-specific with releasable attachments, then maintenance and modification can be performed, but time and expense increase due to needing multiple stock holdings of different tip shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The punch tip is designed with a universal interface that can be attached to multiple different punch assembly types. The tip includes a hub with external threads that can engage with corresponding internal threads in various punch bodies, allowing a single tip design to serve multiple assembly configurations rather than requiring assembly-specific tips.
Solution Approach 2:
The punch tip is divided into separable components including a working end, a hub, and a shank. The hub can be independently attached or detached from the shank, allowing the tip to be quickly changed without replacing the entire assembly. This segmentation enables rapid maintenance and modification.
2Ease of repair
If punch tips are made assembly-specific with releasable attachments, then maintenance and modification can be performed, but expense increases due to needing multiple stock holdings of different tip shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The punch tip is designed with a universal interface that can be attached to multiple different punch assembly types. The tip includes a hub with external threads that can engage with corresponding internal threads in various punch bodies, allowing a single tip design to serve multiple assembly configurations rather than requiring assembly-specific tips.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal punch tip design is implemented, then the need for multiple tip stocks is reduced, but device complexity increases with ancillary components like cam, carrier body, and wedge members
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the operator to selectively manipulate the carrier body between raised and lowered positions. This dynamic positioning controls the engagement state of the wedge members with the punch tip hub, enabling quick transition between locked and unlocked states for tip attachment and detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier body acts as an intermediary component between the cam mechanism and the wedge members. It translates the cam's rotational movement into linear displacement that raises or lowers the wedge members, mediating the interaction between the adjustment mechanism and the locking elements.
4Ease of repair
If releasable punch tip attachments are used, then tips can be replaced and sharpened, but the process involves great deal of time and expense compared to fixed attachments
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge members are pre-positioned within the punch body, ready to engage with the punch tip hub. The cam mechanism is pre-configured to control their movement. When tip replacement is needed, the operator simply rotates the cam, which automatically actuates the pre-positioned wedge members to release or secure the tip, eliminating the need for manual disassembly steps.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective maintenance by allowing a single punch tip to be used across multiple punch assemblies, reducing the need for multiple tip stocks and simplifying the maintenance process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of wedge members. The carrier body is seated within the punch body central cavity... each of the wedge members being in a locked position within the punch body central cavity
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A punch tool (10) comprising: a punch body (14) having a sidewall (18) that defines a central cavity (38), the central cavity extending along a longitudinal extent of the punch body; a punch tip (16) comprising a body having a first end (17a) configured to be alternately secured or released with respect to the punch body (14) and a second end (17b) comprising a working end of the punch tip, the first end including a hub (16a); a carrier body (36) seated within the punch body central cavity (38) and selectively movable between raised and lowered positions within the cavity; and a plurality of wedge members (50) movable between locked and unlocked positions within the punch body central cavity (38) and respectively corresponding to the raised and lowered positions of the carrier body (36), said locked position of the wedge members corresponding to a locking configuration of the punch body (14) with respect to the punch tip hub (16a); wherein each of the plurality of wedge members (50) includes a surface (50dd) having a shape configured to mate with a corresponding surface (16c) of the punch tip hub (16a), the surfaces of the wedge members and the punch tip hub representing the only contacting surfaces between the wedge members and the punch tip hub in securing the punch tip (16) to the punch body (14).