Spoke Supply Buffering for Continuous Hub Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spoke supply devices for spoked wheels experience issues with inconsistent beam picking and conveying, leading to downtime and increased manufacturing time due to misalignment, stacking, and the need for hub flipping during spoke insertion.
Innovation Solution
A spoke supply device with an intermediate waiting area that ensures continuous beam supply by allowing beams to be deposited one by one, featuring adjustable guides, detection means, and gravity-assisted beam isolation to ensure a constant flow to the ejection gun.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beams are picked and conveyed directly from reserve to evacuation zone, then the structure is simple, but picking failures and misalignment cause downtime
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate waiting area is introduced between the picking/conveying means and the evacuation zone. This intermediary zone receives beams one by one from the picking means and supplies them to the evacuation zone, decoupling the direct connection and allowing the system to maintain operation even when picking fails or beams are misaligned.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate waiting area prepositions beams in a stable horizontal orientation before they reach the evacuation zone. By stabilizing beams horizontally in advance, the system ensures ready-to-eject beams are available even if the picking/conveying process experiences interruptions.
2Manufacturing precision
If beams are stabilized horizontally during guidance, then alignment improves, but supply time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate waiting area creates a horizontal equipotential zone where beams rest on a support surface. This horizontal positioning eliminates the need for complex vertical stabilization mechanisms during the supply process, maintaining alignment while reducing stabilization time compared to vertical orientation.
3Ease of operation
If spokes are inserted alternately from inside and outside of flanges, then both sides are loaded, but hub must be turned over which is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of alternating spoke insertion from inside and outside of flanges (conventional approach), the invention positions the ejection gun and supply device to insert all spokes from one side of the hub. This inverted approach eliminates the need to turn over the hub during the process, making the operation easier and faster.
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 provides a continuous spoke supply process, reducing downtime and optimizing productivity by maintaining a sufficient beam inventory, allowing for efficient and uninterrupted operation of the spoke ejection system.
Implementation Method 1
The intermediate waiting area is equipped with means for making the beams fall one by one into the evacuation zone to supply a dispensing gun
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (1) for supplying spokes (2) from a spoke-ejecting gun (2) into holes in a hub of a spoked wheel (2), the device (1) comprising: - a repository (4) for the spokes (2), wherein the spokes (2) to be supplied are intended to be stored in bundles; - means (5) for individually collecting the spokes (2) from an inlet positioned in the repository (4) and conveying the spokes towards a discharge area (3) opposite which a spoke-ejecting gun is intended to be positioned; an intermediate holding area (11) into which the spokes (2) are individually placed. According to the invention, the intermediate holding area (11) is located between an outlet of the collection and conveying means (5) and the discharge area (3), the intermediate holding area (11) being provided with means (12) for enabling the spokes (2) to individually fall into the discharge area (3) to be supplied to a gun.