Spindle Quick Coupling Eliminates Axial Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

Achieving precise alignment between spindles in coil winding machines is challenging due to inevitable axial plays between fixed and moveable parts, which increases production costs and can be compromised by wear, leading to variations in wound coil electrical characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A spindle with quick coupling featuring elastic means and a frustum-shaped design that eliminates axial play by using helical springs and ball locking mechanisms to ensure precise alignment without requiring high-precision machining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If more accurate mechanical machining is performed to reduce axial plays, then alignment precision between spindles is improved, but production cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision between spindlesVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A self-centering device is introduced as an intermediary component between the fixed part and moveable part. This device includes a conical portion that fits into a corresponding recess, automatically centering the moveable part relative to the fixed part without requiring high-precision machining of the coupling surfaces. The self-centering mechanism eliminates axial plays while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If more accurate mechanical machining is performed to reduce axial plays, then coupling precision is improved, but the parts become more susceptible to wear effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling precisionVSAvoidresistance to wear
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The self-centering device acts as a mediator that protects the main coupling surfaces from wear. By providing a self-aligning conical interface, it reduces the stress and misalignment on the primary coupling surfaces, thereby reducing wear and improving the durability and reliability of the connection over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If quick-connection locking means are used to enable rapid spool replacement, then operational speed is improved, but alignment precision between spindles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespool replacement speedVSAvoidalignment precision between spindles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The self-centering device performs the alignment action automatically and preliminarily when the moveable part is inserted into the fixed part. The conical portion automatically centers the moveable part before the quick-connection locking means engage, ensuring precise alignment is achieved as part of the quick-coupling process itself, without requiring additional alignment steps that would slow down operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables extremely precise coupling and alignment between spindles, reducing winding differences and improving repeatability and precision in wire layering, while maintaining coupling effectiveness even after numerous cycles without significant cost increases.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first elastic means, in this case constituted by helical springs, arranged in the fixed part and acting on the shank-like portion with a force oriented parallel to the main axis and in the opposite direction with respect to the axial direction of insertion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The axial locking means are generally of the quick-connection type so as to allow, at the end of the winding of the corresponding spool, the removal of the moveable part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3185264B1Spindle with quick coupling, particularly for machines for winding electric coils
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 MARSILLI
  • EP3185264B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3185264B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3185264B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A spindle with quick coupling, particularly for machines for winding electric coils, comprising: - a fixed part (2), which extends around a main axis (4) and which can be actuated with a rotary motion about the main axis (4); - a movable part (3), which can be mated detachably with a main seat (5) defined in the fixed part (2), the main seat (5) extending around the main axis (4) and having an access opening (6), which is defined at an axial end of the fixed part (2) and can be passed through by a shank-like portion (7) of the moveable part (3); - means (8) for connecting in rotation about the main axis (4) the moveable part (3) to the fixed part (2); - axial locking means (9), which are arranged in the fixed part (2) and can be engaged detachably with the shank-like portion (7) of the moveable part (3) which is inserted into the main seat (5) of the fixed part (2). The spindle comprises means for eliminating the axial play (10) between the moveable part (3) and the fixed part (2) when the axial locking means (9) are engaged with the shank-like portion (7) of the moveable part (3) inserted into the main seat (5).