Toroidal Spring Transfer Assembly for Damage-Free Groove Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatically inserting circular toroidal springs into shaft seals often cause damage to the springs due to improper gripping and limited diameter adjustment, leading to inefficient and ineffective mounting processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a flexible bearing, transfer mandrel, shifting bearing, and insert mandrel with sliding sleeves to gently transfer the spring from one mandrel to another, allowing precise placement into the workpiece groove without damaging the spring, using a system of displaceable elements and reversible sliding sleeves for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If pneumatic fingers are used to grip and expand the spring, then automatic insertion is achieved, but the spring windings are damaged due to point contact pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible bearing as an intermediary device between the pneumatic fingers and the spring. The spring is first placed on the flexible bearing, which supports it along its entire circumference, preventing point contact damage. The flexible bearing acts as a mediator that allows the spring to be handled automatically while protecting its windings from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional point contact (pneumatic fingers touching at discrete points) to two-dimensional surface contact (flexible bearing supporting the entire spring circumference). This dimensional change distributes the contact pressure uniformly along the spring's circumference, eliminating localized stress concentrations that cause winding damage.
2Ease of operation
If pneumatic fingers are used to expand the spring, then insertion capability is improved, but the minimum and maximum diameter range is limited by finger travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible bearing that can dynamically adapt its shape to match the spring's required diameter. The flexible bearing's ability to flex and deform allows it to accommodate springs with varying minimum and maximum diameters, providing greater adaptability compared to rigid pneumatic fingers with fixed travel limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and geometry of the flexible bearing to match different spring parameters. By adjusting the flexible bearing's deformation parameters, it can accommodate springs with different diameter ranges, thereby overcoming the fixed travel limitations of pneumatic fingers.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual insertion is used, then spring damage is minimized, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bearing automatically conforms to the spring's shape and provides uniform support without requiring precise manual positioning. The spring essentially serves itself by naturally settling onto the flexible bearing's surface, which adapts to its circumference, enabling automatic handling while maintaining the gentle contact characteristics of manual insertion.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A method of putting circular toroidal springs into outer grooves of workpieces, especially in the outer grooves of shaft seals. A circular spring (6) is inserted into a flexible bearing (1), into which a transfer mandrel (2) is inserted, by which means the spring (6) is transferred onto its circumference, the transfer mandrel (2) with the spring (6) is ejected from flexible bearing (1) and moves above the shifting bearing (3), abutting on it, whereupon the spring (6) is transferred by a transfer sliding sleeve (23) from the circumference of the transfer mandrel (2) onto the shifting bearing (3), on which it remains even after the return of the transfer mandrel (2) to its parking position, whereupon the insert mandrel (4) moves above the shifting bearing (3) and abuts on it, whereupon with the aid of the shifting sliding sleeve (34), the spring (6) moves onto the circumference of the insert mandrel (4) which moves with the spring (6) above the insert bearing (5) in which the workpiece (7) is placed, whereby the insert bearing (5) abuts on the workpiece (7), whereupon with the aid of the insert sliding sleeve (44), the spring (6) moves from the circumference of the insert mandrel (4) to the outer groove of the workpiece (7) and the insert mandrel (4) returns to its parking position. In addition, the invention relates to a device for performing this method.