Serial screw attaching system on clips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for attaching screws to clips in ventilation duct systems are costly, time-consuming, and inefficient, particularly in manufacturing processes where manual attachment is required, leading to increased production time and costs.

Innovation Solution

A serial screw attachment system utilizing a helically formed clip position changer, servo motor, plungers, and a magnetic holder to automate the alignment and attachment of screws to clips, enabling efficient and cost-effective serial connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual attachment of screws to clips is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the screw attachment process into distinct functional modules: a magnetic holder for screw positioning, a clip position changer for orientation adjustment, and a presser mechanism for attachment. Each module operates independently but coordinates sequentially, enabling automated serial attachment while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic holder pre-positions screws in the correct orientation and location before the clip arrives. The clip position changer pre-adjusts the clip orientation to match the screw position. These preliminary actions ensure that when the clip and screw meet, attachment can occur immediately without additional positioning steps, significantly reducing production time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automated screw attachment systems are implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment speedVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical screw feeding and positioning mechanisms with a magnetic holder that uses magnetic fields to hold and position screws. This substitution eliminates the need for intricate mechanical feeders, reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining high attachment speed through automated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic holder acts as an intermediary between the screw supply and the clip attachment point. It simplifies the interface by providing a straightforward magnetic holding and release mechanism, avoiding the need for complex mechanical interaction systems. This intermediary approach reduces overall system complexity while enabling rapid automated attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If clips and screws are attached manually, then device complexity is low, but loss of time and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly timeVSAvoidattachment system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the screw holding function and the clip positioning function into a coordinated automated sequence. The magnetic holder and clip position changer work together in a unified attachment station, allowing simultaneous positioning of both components. This merging eliminates the time loss associated with sequential manual operations while keeping the added complexity confined to a single integrated station rather than throughout the entire production line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The system significantly reduces production time and costs by automating the attachment process, ensuring high fixing performance and enabling rapid assembly of ventilation ducts.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic holder (1) determining a screw (100) coming from the screw setter unit (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3740686B1Serial screw attaching system on clips
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 SENTE MAKINA INSAAT SANAYI & TICARET SIRKETI
  • EP3740686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3740686B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3740686B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention is about the development made in serial screw attaching system on clips enabling the connection of screws with clips used for fixing ventilation ducts in ventilation and climatization industries and its' characteristic is being consisted of a helically formed clip position changer (6), a servo motor (5) transferring rotary motion to the clench key (9), a first plunger (2) and a second plunger (3) enabling the clench key (9) to operate on two axis, a holder plate (8) properly positioning the screws coming from the screw setter unit (7) and enabling the magnetic holder (1) determine them and a third plunger (4) transferring forward and backward motion to the holder plate (8).