Resin Coating Mandrel Linkage for Jam-Resistant Clamp Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mandrels for gripping electric motor components in resin coating systems are prone to jamming due to dirt and resin residues, require frequent maintenance, and are complex, leading to machine shutdowns and high wear and tear.
Innovation Solution
A mandrel design with a cylindrical body and radially extending seats, featuring self-lubricating and self-cleaning mechanisms through interacting plates and rods, which prevent debris accumulation and reduce the need for maintenance, ensuring smooth operation in dirty environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If internal gears are used to move clamps synchronously, then clamp movement is achieved, but the mandrel becomes sensitive to dirt and resin residues causing jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the internal gears from the mandrel structure entirely. Instead of using gears to move the clamps, the invention employs a cam mechanism with cam lobes that directly actuate the clamps through follower elements. This extraction of the gear system eliminates the problem of resin penetration between gear teeth while maintaining synchronous clamp movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the gear-based mechanical transmission system with a cam-follower mechanism. The cam lobes on the rotating cam shaft directly translate rotational motion into the radial movement of clamps through simple follower elements, eliminating complex gear interactions that are prone to contamination and jamming in dirty environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a series of gears and clamps are used, then gripping capability is achieved, but the number of components increases leading to wear and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes multiple unnecessary mechanical components including internal gears, complex clamp actuation mechanisms, and lubrication systems. The simplified design uses only essential elements: a mandrel body, cam lobes, and simple follower-based clamps, reducing the total component count while maintaining gripping functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides synchronous actuation of all clamps, maintains constant gripping force through properly designed cam profiles, and enables both gripping and releasing operations through single rotational cycles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each operation.
3Ease of operation
If internal gears are used for clamp actuation, then synchronous movement is achieved, but the mandrel dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the space-consuming internal gear structures from the mandrel design. The cam-based actuation system requires minimal space within the mandrel body, allowing for a more compact overall design while still achieving synchronous clamp movement through the rotational cam mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam lobes are integrated directly into the mandrel body structure, with the cam shaft positioned centrally and clamps nested around the periphery. This nested arrangement allows all components to occupy minimal space while maintaining their functional relationships, resulting in a compact mandrel design.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is a mandrel (1, 100) for gripping an object, which comprises: a mandrel body (2) provided with a central hole (3) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X) and at least two seats (4) which extend radially and in angular directions different from each other starting from said longitudinal axis (X), a gripping assembly (5) comprising at least two gripping clamps (6) arranged in the seats (4) and a supporting element (7) configured to slide along the central hole (3). Each of the gripping clamps (6) is operatively connected, at the level of a first end (6a) thereof, to the supporting element (7) by means of a first connecting rod (8) and to the internal walls (4a, 4b) of its seat (4) by means of a second connecting rod (9) and a third connecting rod (10), so that the rectilinear movement of said supporting element (7) causes the rigid translation of each of the gripping clamps (6).