Strapping Machine Housing Plug-in Hook Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine housings for strapping machines face challenges in achieving high stability while allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, as traditional welding or gluing methods complicate maintenance and require extensive design efforts and numerous fastening screws.

Innovation Solution

The use of plug-in hook elements with adapted hook-receiving slots, where the locking directions of the side wall parts are at right angles to the rear and front wall parts, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly, and secured with position securing elements to prevent unintentional loosening, reducing the need for extensive fastening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If wall parts are welded or glued to achieve high stability, then the stability and strength of the machine housing is improved, but the complexity of manufacturing increases and maintenance access becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of machine housingVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The machine housing is divided into separate wall parts that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Instead of welding or gluing entire housing sections, the invention uses discrete plug-in hook elements that connect individual wall parts through standardized receiving slots, enabling modular assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Plug-in hook elements serve as intermediary connection components between wall parts. These hooks act as mediators that provide stable mechanical connections without requiring direct welding or gluing between wall surfaces, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If wall parts are welded to achieve high stability, then the strength of the machine housing is improved, but access for maintenance becomes difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength of machine housingVSAvoidmaintenance access
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system transitions from a static welded joint to a dynamic, reversible mechanical connection. The plug-in hook elements can be easily inserted and locked into receiving slots, providing strong connections during operation while allowing quick disassembly for maintenance by simply releasing the locking mechanism and removing the hooks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If numerous fastening screws are used to achieve required stability, then the strength of the machine housing is improved, but assembly time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of machine housingVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fastening functions are merged into a single plug-in hook element. Instead of requiring numerous individual screws to achieve stable connections between wall parts, the invention combines positioning, locking, and securing functions into one integrated mechanical component that can be installed in a single operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-in hook elements incorporate self-centering and self-locking features that automatically ensure proper alignment and secure connection during assembly. The design includes self-aligning geometries and automatic locking mechanisms that eliminate the need for precise manual alignment and multiple adjustment steps, significantly reducing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2208673B1Machine housing and strapping machine with same
Publication Date: 2011.06.08 SSB STRAPPING SYST BAYREUTH
  • EP2208673B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2208673B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2208673B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The machine housing has a rear wall portion, a front wall portion (17), two side wall portions (18) and a cover plate (15) which is connected with the wall portions at upper or lower edge-sides. The wall portion or the cover plate is provided with laterally opening insertion hook elements (23) that are inserted in the hook receiving slots (24) provided at the opposite portion and locked by shifting in a locking direction perpendicular to an insertion direction. An independent claim is also included for a strapping machine with a machine housing which is mounted at a sub-frame.