Spot Welding Electrode Storage with Protected Lever Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spot welding electrode housing apparatuses malfunction due to exposure of coil springs, leading to ejection failures and poor design aesthetics, as external equipment can accidentally contact the biasing mechanism, causing the ejection regulating member to malfunction.

Innovation Solution

The ejection regulating member is designed as a lever that swings, with the biasing mechanism positioned internally, and a pin insertion hole regulates its movement, while projecting plate portions and a bracket with guide surfaces enhance protection and attachment precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the coil spring is exposed on the outer surface of the housing case, then the ejection regulating member can be actuated, but the apparatus is vulnerable to accidental contact by external equipment and has poor appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection regulationVSAvoidmalfunction prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coil spring is nested within the housing case rather than being exposed on the outer surface. The biasing mechanism is integrated into the internal structure of the ejection regulating member, allowing the spring to remain concealed while still providing the necessary biasing force for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing case acts as a protective shell that encloses the coil spring and biasing mechanism. This shell structure protects the internal components from accidental contact by external equipment while maintaining the functional integrity of the ejection regulating member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If the coil spring is exposed on the outer surface of the housing case, then the ejection regulating member can be actuated, but the apparatus has poor appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection regulationVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The coil spring is nested within the housing case rather than being exposed on the outer surface. The biasing mechanism is integrated into the internal structure of the ejection regulating member, allowing the spring to remain concealed while still providing the necessary biasing force for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If the ejection regulating member is designed as a swinging lever, then the mechanism is simplified, but the coil spring becomes vulnerable to external contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidmalfunction prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coil spring is nested within the housing case rather than being exposed on the outer surface. The biasing mechanism is integrated into the internal structure of the ejection regulating member, allowing the spring to remain concealed while still providing the necessary biasing force for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing case acts as a protective shell that encloses the coil spring and biasing mechanism. This shell structure protects the internal components from accidental contact by external equipment while maintaining the functional integrity of the ejection regulating member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This configuration prevents ejection failures by ensuring the coil spring is not directly contacted by external tools, improves the apparatus's appearance, reduces operator load during electrode housing, and ensures accurate attachment to the bracket.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing mechanism including a coil spring as a movable part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a pressing unit that presses one or a plurality of parallel electrodes housed in the housing path against one end of the housing path by a spring force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3427884B1Electrode storage device for spot welding
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 KYOKUTOH
  • EP3427884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3427884B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3427884B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pressing unit (5) presses a plurality of electrodes (10) housed in a housing path (R1) in a housing case (2) toward an electrode outlet port (20). When a lever member (3) swings to one side, a distal end of the lever member (3) comes to be in a first position (X1) in which the lever member (3) covers a part of the electrode outlet port (20). When the lever member (3) swings to the other side, the lever member (3) comes to be in a second position (X2) in which the distal end exposes the electrode outlet port (20). A first coil spring (4) is disposed between a proximal end of the lever member (3) and a first side surface portion (21) of the housing case (2), and biases the proximal end of the lever member (3) to a direction away from the housing case (2).