Modular Tooling Receiver Anti-Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick disconnect couplers for manufacturing equipment are often costly and difficult to operate, necessitating a need for inexpensive and simple-to-use solutions that allow for rapid reconfiguration of tooling without compromising accuracy and precision.
Innovation Solution
A modular tooling receiver with a housing, engaging member, lock actuator, release lever, and anti-release mechanism, which includes a damper to control the lock actuator's motion and a hold-open mechanism to retain the release lever in the release position, enabling easy connection and disconnection of tooling without manual holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used to connect tooling, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the time and effort needed to reconfigure manufacturing equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into two separate parts: a coupler attached to the tooling and a receiver attached to the manufacturing equipment. These segments can be quickly connected and disconnected without requiring full disassembly, enabling rapid reconfiguration while maintaining secure connection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system transitions from a static fastened state to a dynamic quick-connect state. The mechanism allows the coupler and receiver to be rapidly engaged and disengaged through simple manual operation, transforming the reconfiguration process from a time-consuming manual fastening task to a quick dynamic action.
2Loss of time
If quick disconnect couplers are implemented, then reconfiguration time is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-locking. When the coupler is inserted into the receiver, alignment features automatically guide proper positioning, and locking features automatically engage to secure the connection, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or additional adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex alignment and locking mechanisms are extracted from the operator's manual actions and embedded into the passive geometric features of the coupler and receiver themselves. This allows the quick-connect function to be achieved through simple insertion and removal motions rather than requiring the operator to manipulate complex mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment structures are added to ensure precise connection, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler and receiver incorporate asymmetric geometric features that provide inherent alignment guidance. The asymmetric shapes ensure that the components can only be connected in the correct orientation, automatically achieving precise alignment during the connection process without requiring additional alignment marks, sensors, or adjustment mechanisms.
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 cost-effective, user-friendly method for quickly disconnecting and reconnecting tooling, maintaining precision and reducing the time required for equipment reconfiguration, thus enhancing manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a damper that controls a rate of motion of the lock actuator from the second position toward the first position
Implementation Method 2
The receiver includes a biasing element that biases the lock actuator toward the first position
Implementation Method 3
An anti-release mechanism is connected to the release lever and is movable between an engaged position, in which the anti-release mechanism engages the housing to restrain movement of the release lever
Data Source
AI summary
A modular tooling receiver includes a housing having a wall and a port, and an engaging member movably disposed in the port. A lock actuator is moveable between a first position and a second position. The release lever is connected to the housing and is engageable with the lock actuator for causing movement of the lock actuator from the first position toward the second position. An anti-release mechanism is connected to the release lever and is movable between an engaged position, in which the anti-release mechanism engages the housing to restrain movement of the release lever to prevent movement of the lock actuator from the first position to the second position, and a disengaged position, in which the anti-release mechanism disengages the housing to allow movement of the release lever.