Automated Tying Tool Feeding Mechanism for Irregular Head Shapes
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated tying tools are inefficient and labor-intensive when dealing with one-piece fixing ties and common ties with irregular head shapes, as they are not suited for automation due to their varied head shapes, leading to difficulties in feeding and positioning these ties.
Innovation Solution
An automated tying tool featuring a slider, guide rail, guide claws, tensioning wheel, cutter, stepping feeding mechanism, and material pushing rod, which includes a wheel disc with profiling recesses for intermittent indexing, allowing for precise positioning and binding of ties with different head shapes, and a riving knife for separating interconnected ties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If vibration disc or pipe feeding methods are used, then automated feeding is achieved, but ties with irregular head shapes cannot be fed
Solution Approach 1:
A custom-designed feeding mechanism acts as an intermediary between the material source and the tying tool. This mechanism includes a magazine that holds ties vertically and a picking mechanism with adaptive grippers that can accommodate various head shapes. The intermediary mechanism translates the inability of standard vibration disc/pipe systems to handle irregular shapes into a solution that actively adapts to those shapes through programmable picking motions and adjustable gripping forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding mechanism employs dynamic elements including a rotatable magazine that can be indexed to different positions, adjustable picking arms that can adapt their orientation based on the tie head shape, and controlled gripping forces that adjust during the picking process. This dynamic adaptability allows the same mechanism to handle multiple head shape variations without requiring separate feeding systems for each type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual tying operation is used, then various head shapes can be handled, but labor intensity is high and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The tying mechanism is designed to automatically adapt to different head shapes without requiring manual intervention for adjustment. The system includes sensors that detect the head shape characteristics and automatically adjust the gripping and positioning parameters. The tying tool performs the entire tying operation autonomously, with the mechanism self-adjusting to handle various head shapes through programmable control logic that mimics manual tying expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated tying tool is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple head shape types through a single integrated mechanism. The picking mechanism, gripping system, and tying components are all designed with adaptive capabilities that allow them to function across different tie geometries. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools while maintaining high automation and productivity.
3Device complexity
If positioning is based on square head, then simple positioning mechanism is used, but ties with irregular head shapes cannot be positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-grabbing the tie at the head portion before the main tying operation. The picking mechanism initially captures the tie based on detectable features of the head shape, then performs preliminary positioning adjustments to align the tie correctly. This preliminary action phase separates the complex positioning task into detectable features identification and alignment execution, maintaining relative simplicity while handling irregular shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with sensor-based detection and control systems. Optical or tactile sensors identify key features of the irregular head shapes, and the control system calculates the appropriate positioning parameters. This substitution of mechanical complexity with sensing and computational logic allows accurate positioning of irregular shapes without requiring elaborate mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated tying tool includes slider, guide rail, first guide claw, second guide claw, frame, tensioning wheel, cutter, stepwise material feeding mechanism, and material pushing rod. First and second guide claws are mounted on frame via rotation of central pin. Cutter and tensioning wheel are mounted in frame. Guide rail is adjacent to frame. Slider engages with guide rail. An automated tying method includes: stepwise material feeding mechanism being loaded with ties, and conveying ties at fixed interval in each binding cycle; slider driving ties to slide from predetermined position to binding position; tie body of ties being curled in guide slots in first and second guide claws; causing tail portion of ties to pass through a hole at head portion of ties; tensioning wheel rotating to tighten ties; and cutter cutting tightened ties. A tying tool may include a material feeding, distributing, and pushing mechanism.