Stud Holding Collet With Dual Airflow for Centered Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding devices for studs with radially projecting flange sections often fail to reliably maintain studs in a centered position during automated feeding, leading to uncontrolled ejection and potential noise disturbances in industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A holding device featuring a collet component with a slotted cylindrical front portion and two air flow channels, where the second air flow channel is directed to the flange of the stud, allowing for tolerance compensation and maintaining the stud in a centered position without the need for a shank-clamping device, using a securing sleeve with an annular slot and openings to provide a targeted air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inside diameter of the insertion section is made slightly larger than the outside diameter of the flange section to enable easy stud transport, then the stud can be fed with an easy motion, but the stud comes into an oblique position and requires centering which may fail, leading to uncontrolled ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second air flow channel that directs air flow onto the flange of the stud to actively maintain it in a centered position within the insertion section. This pneumatic mechanism compensates for the loose fit necessary for easy feeding, preventing oblique positioning and uncontrolled ejection while maintaining the ease of feeding benefit.
2Reliability
If a securing device is added to maintain stud positioning, then the reliability of feeding is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex mechanical securing devices, the patent uses a pneumatic system with a second air flow channel to maintain stud positioning. This approach improves reliability while avoiding the complexity of additional mechanical components, securing devices, or clamping mechanisms.
3Productivity
If compressed air is used to feed studs through feed tubes, then automated feeding with high cycle times is achieved, but studs may be ejected in an uncontrolled manner, causing noise disturbances and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the second air flow channel continuously monitors and adjusts the position of the stud flange during the feeding process. This active control prevents uncontrolled ejection by maintaining proper positioning throughout the cycle, eliminating noise and waste associated with failed feeding attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic system with the second air flow channel provides active stabilization of the stud during automated feeding, preventing uncontrolled ejection and the associated harmful effects of noise and material waste while maintaining high productivity.
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 device ensures reliable, centered positioning of studs, preventing uncontrolled ejection and facilitating easy disassembly, while allowing for axial play and rotational motion of the flange, enhancing manufacturing ease and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A second air flow channel (C2, C2') oriented in a second direction, different from the first direction, is also provided. The second air flow channel (C2, C2') is more particularly arranged in the securing sleeve (30)... allowing for tolerance compensation and maintaining the stud in a centered position
Data Source
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AI summary
Joining head (10) for joining a stud which includes a radially projecting flange to workpieces and holding device (12) comprising: - a collet component (16) having a clamping section and a hollow insertion section defining an insertion axis and adapted to receive a stud such that the stud can be inserted via the insertion section to the clamping section, the clamping section being adapted to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force for clamping the stud; - a securing device arranged on the insertion section and comprising a securing sleeve (30); - a clearance space (32) defined between a bottom end of the securing sleeve and a top end of the clamping section, the clearance space being adapted to releasably receive a flange of a stud; - a first air flow channel (C1) adapted to feed the stud in the collet, the first air flow channel being oriented in a first direction ; wherein the holding device (12) further comprises at least a second airflow channel (C2, C2') oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, the second air flow channel being adapted to maintain the stud in a non-oblique position.