Shell Retainer Assembly for Six-Out Conversion Press Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In six-out conversion presses, the wide tab strip covers more than a 2X2 cluster of shells, preventing retaining pins from accessing idle stations, which can lead to shells shifting or becoming askew due to vibrations during the forming process.
Innovation Solution
A retainer assembly with a retaining member assembly and a motion assembly is introduced. The retaining member assembly selectively retains shells in transfer belt recesses, while the motion assembly moves the retaining member between spaced and retaining positions, ensuring shells are maintained in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wide tab strip is used to cover more than a 2X2 cluster of shells in six-out conversion presses, then the tab strip can accommodate the increased production capacity, but retaining pins cannot access idle stations, causing shells to shift or become askew due to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining mechanism is segmented into multiple individual retaining pins, each independently positioned to access specific idle stations. This segmentation allows the retaining pins to be strategically placed at locations not covered by the wide tab strip, enabling each pin to independently secure shells at critical positions without interfering with the tab strip operation
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining pins are positioned in a third dimension (vertically below or above the tab strip plane) to access idle stations that are horizontally covered by the wide tab strip. This dimensional change allows the retaining mechanism to operate in a different spatial plane, avoiding conflict with the tab strip while still securing shells at the required positions
2Reliability
If retaining pins are positioned to access idle stations under the wide tab strip, then shell positioning stability can be maintained, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional motion control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The motion control mechanisms for multiple retaining pins are merged into a single synchronized system. All retaining pins are coupled to move simultaneously with the tab strip through a common drive mechanism, reducing the number of independent control systems needed and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining reliable shell positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining pins are designed to automatically engage and disengage shells based on the tab strip's position and the shell's presence at idle stations. The mechanism uses the tab strip's own motion to trigger the retaining pins' activation, eliminating the need for separate sensors or control systems and reducing device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A retainer assembly (150) includes a retaining member assembly (170) and a motion assembly (190). The retaining member assembly (170) is structured to selectively retain at least one shell (3) in a transfer belt assembly belt recess (90). The retaining member assembly (170) includes a retaining member (172). The motion assembly (190) is structured to move the retaining member (172) between a first position, wherein the retaining member (172) is spaced from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt (80), and, a second position, wherein the retaining member (172) is disposed a retaining distance from the transfer belt assembly transfer belt (80).