Toolless Punch Tip Retention With Wedge-Lock Seating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional punch assemblies with releasable tips face design challenges in ensuring proper seating and retention, leading to potential performance decline over time due to complex or costly mechanisms, and require efficient maintenance and modification processes.

Innovation Solution

A punch body design with a triggering mechanism, coupling mechanism, and resilient member that allows for hand-adjustable securement and release of punch tips, featuring a lever-shaped triggering mechanism that moves between locked and unlocked configurations within the punch body's central cavity, utilizing a carrier body and wedge members for secure seating and easy tool-free operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex triggering mechanism is used to ensure proper tip retention and release, then the reliability of tip seating is improved, but the device complexity increases and performance may decline over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetip seating reliabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The punch assembly is divided into distinct functional components: a punch body, a separate punch tip, a coupling mechanism, and a triggering mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system by distributing functions across separate elements rather than using a complex integrated mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The punch tip is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the punch body, and the triggering mechanism is designed as a distinct element that can be independently actuated. This extraction simplifies the retention system by separating the holding function (coupling mechanism) from the release function (triggering mechanism), reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If a simple retain/release mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the proper seating and retention of tips may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidtip retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism merges multiple retention functions into a single integrated structure that positively engages the punch tip. The coupling mechanism combines lateral retention features with axial positioning, achieving reliable tip retention through a unified simple component rather than multiple complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The punch assembly design allows the punch tip to self-align and self-seat within the punch body through the coupling mechanism. The geometric features of the coupling mechanism and punch tip create automatic positioning and retention without requiring complex external adjustment or multiple retention elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If tool-free operation is implemented for tip changes, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and seating accuracy may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetip change easeVSAvoidtip seating accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The triggering mechanism replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with a simpler actuation system that uses leveraged motion to disengage the coupling mechanism. This substitution maintains precision through geometric constraints and positive engagement features while enabling tool-free operation through direct manual actuation of the trigger.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is pre-configured with engagement features that automatically align and seat the punch tip in the correct position during insertion. This preliminary positioning action ensures manufacturing precision is maintained while the triggering mechanism provides the final release function, allowing tool-free operation without compromising seating accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 design enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of punch assemblies by reducing downtime, extending the punch body's lifetime, and maintaining performance with simpler, non-complex mechanisms, allowing for quick tip changes and versatile use with similar or different tip types.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member (e.g., a spring) that biases the coupling mechanism toward the locked position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of wedge members positioned to align between a corresponding plurality of openings in the carrier body and a groove defined within the punch body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Data Source

PatentUS11667051B2Punch assemblies and toolless systems thereof for tip retention and release

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 WILSON TOOL INT INC

AI summary

Punch assembly that enable selective securement and release of punch tips to a punch body (or holder) of the assemblies, wherein various retain/release systems can be used with the punch body, specifically relative to triggering mechanisms of such systems and their functioning and use with ancillary components relative to securing and releasing the punch tip, without adversely affecting long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the assemblies.