Spring-Loaded PCB Guide for Accurate Blank Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guide devices for positioning blanks in forming tools often result in incorrect positioning due to production fluctuations, leading to component defects, tool damage, and increased rework and scrap costs, especially in automobile manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A guide device comprising two movable parts, a guide with a spring system that biases in the transverse direction to absorb impacts and a housing module, allowing for adjustable positioning and early detection of defective parts, reducing manual corrections and tool damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid guide device is used for positioning blanks, then the positioning structure is simple and stable, but incorrect positioning occurs due to production fluctuations leading to component defects and tool damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidguide device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device incorporates a movable guide element that can shift position dynamically rather than being rigidly fixed. This allows the guide to adapt to variations in blank dimensions while maintaining positioning accuracy, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device allows for adjustment of positioning parameters such as the position of the guide surface relative to the forming tool. This enables adaptation to different blank sizes and tolerances, improving positioning reliability without requiring a completely complex device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If manual correction of blank positioning is performed, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but production downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblank positioning precisionVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device is designed to automatically compensate for positioning deviations through its movable components and adjustment mechanisms. This self-correcting capability eliminates the need for manual intervention, maintaining high positioning precision while preserving production speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed guide position is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate production fluctuations in coil width leading to incorrect positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation to coil width variationsVSAvoidguide device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt to varying blank widths. This dynamic capability provides adaptability to production fluctuations without requiring excessive device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device is divided into separable components, including the movable guide element and the housing. This segmentation allows individual components to be optimized for specific functions, achieving adaptability while controlling overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 guide device effectively reduces component errors, tool damage, and associated costs by ensuring accurate positioning and early identification of defective parts, minimizing rework, scrap, and downtime.

Implementation Method 1

a spring system preloading the guide in one direction, the 'transverse direction'

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a guide can thus yield or bend when a blank impacts the positioning surface of the guide with greater force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3825029B1Positioning device
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 MAGNA METALFORMING GMBH
  • EP3825029B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3825029B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3825029B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A guide device for positioning circuit boards for a forming tool, comprising a guide (11, 21, 32, 42, 82, 92) having a chamfered positioning surface (12, 22, 34, 44, 54), wherein the positioning surface (12, 22, 34, 44, 54) is configured such that a circumferential edge of a circuit board can be positioned in a transverse direction (Q) by contact with the positioning surface (12, 22, 34, 44, 54), wherein the guide device comprises a housing module (33, 43, 63, 73, 83, 93), wherein the guide (11, 21, 32, 42, 82, 92) is located in the housing module (33, 43, 63, 73, 83, 93) in the The housing module (33, 43, 63, 73, 83, 93) is mounted to be linearly displaceable in the transverse direction (Q), wherein the housing module (33, 43, 63, 73, 83, 93) has a spring system (412, 712, 912, 612), wherein the spring system (412, 712, 912, 612) preloads the guide (11, 21, 32, 42, 82, 92) in the transverse direction (Q).