Segmented Rotating Sleeve for Aligned Lamination Stack Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evacuating stacks of laminations from a blanking tool compromise the correct alignment and productivity by requiring the process to stop when separate laminations are formed, as they lack a mechanism to maintain angular offset without interrupting the blanking process.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotatable sleeve comprising multiple portions and control-actuated stopping elements allows for the continuous blanking process by temporarily holding and releasing stacks at each stage, ensuring correct angular alignment during evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sleeve is made immovable to maintain correct alignment during evacuation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to process interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed to be dynamically adjustable between two states: rotatable during blanking operations and immovable during evacuation operations. This is achieved through a locking mechanism that can engage or disengage based on the operational phase, allowing the system to adapt its characteristics to meet different functional requirements without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve alternates between rotational and stationary states in periodic cycles corresponding to the blanking and evacuation phases. During blanking, the sleeve rotates to maintain alignment; during evacuation, it locks stationary to preserve precision. This periodic switching enables both high productivity and manufacturing precision
2Productivity
If the sleeve remains rotatable during evacuation to maintain continuous blanking process, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to compromised alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve transitions from a continuously rotatable state to a controlled dynamic system that can lock stationary when needed. The locking mechanism engages during evacuation to prevent rotation, ensuring alignment precision is maintained while allowing the blanking process to continue uninterrupted in other parts of the system
3Manufacturing precision
If the blanking process is stopped for evacuation to maintain alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to process interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is divided into functionally independent portions: the upper portion remains rotatable and connected to the blanking die, allowing continuous blanking operations, while the lower portion can be locked stationary for precise evacuation. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of different functions without mutual interference
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the rotatable upper portion and the stationary lower portion. It enables the transition between rotational and stationary states, allowing the upper portion to continue rotating for blanking while the lower portion remains fixed for precise evacuation, thus eliminating process interruptions
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a device for collecting and evacuating completed stacks (P) of blanked and stacked laminations in a blanking tool. The device comprises at least one sleeve (10), which can be rotated about the axis of a blanking die (5) to which it is rotatably constrained, comprising an upper portion (20), an intermediate portion (30) and a lower portion (40). The upper portion (20) and the intermediate portion (30) of the sleeve (10) are permanently and rotatably connected to the blanking die (5), whereas an engaging member (50) can be control-actuated for rotatably connecting the lower portion (40) of the sleeve (10) to the intermediate/upper portion (30, 20) or releasing the rotatable connection of the lower portion (40) of the sleeve (10) with respect to the intermediate/upper portion (30, 20).