Upright Tool Magazine Gripper for Secure Compact Tool Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool magazines face issues such as tools falling off due to damaged blade springs or vibration, and difficulty in checking the cutting part of upside-down stored tools, while also requiring efficient storage in a small area.
Innovation Solution
A tool magazine design where tools are stored with the cutting part facing upward, using a gripper with a ring-shaped inner circumferential edge and engagement portions to prevent falling, and a magazine arm with elevator, approaching, and turning mechanisms for efficient tool handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a robotic arm is used to remove tools from the magazine, then operator safety is improved and automation is increased, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine system performs its own tool removal operation through an automatic indexing mechanism. When the magazine rotates to the removal position, the tool is automatically released by a cam-actuated ejector mechanism without requiring external robotic intervention. The system serves itself by using its own rotational motion to position and eject tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (complex robotic arm system) is extracted and replaced with a simpler native mechanism. The patent removes the need for external robots by implementing the removal function directly within the magazine using a cam-driven ejector that pushes tools onto a conveyor belt at the removal station.
2Manufacturing precision
If tools are stored in a fixed magazine position, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but adaptability to different tools and operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine transitions from a static fixed-position system to a dynamic rotating system. The magazine can rotate to bring different tool positions to the loading and removal stations, allowing the same physical magazine to serve multiple tool types and operations while maintaining precise positioning through controlled rotation and indexing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating magazine design allows a single magazine structure to perform multiple functions by presenting different tool positions to the same loading and removal stations. This universal design enables the system to handle various tool types and operations without requiring multiple dedicated storage positions or separate loading mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If manual tool removal is used, then device complexity is reduced, but operator safety is compromised due to pinching hazards
Solution Approach 1:
A cam-actuated ejector mechanism serves as an intermediary between the tool storage position and the removal station. This intermediary mechanism automatically pushes tools onto the conveyor belt, eliminating direct contact between operators and moving parts while maintaining mechanical simplicity. The cam mechanism translates rotational motion into the linear ejection motion needed for safe automated removal.
Data Source
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AI summary
To meet requirements of having an ability to store a number of tools 4 in a small installation area and allow an intended tool 4 to be quickly taken out, while providing a tool rack 2 with which falling off of the tool 4 is prevented, and to prevent the cutting part 42 from dropping off from the tool 4 as well as facilitate checking of the cutting part 42 of the stored tool 4, a tool magazine 1 has been developed, in which the tool rack 2 includes a gripper 21 into which the holder 41 for the tool 4 that keeps the cutting part 42 standing and facing upward is to be fitted from above, the gripper 21 has a ring-shaped inner circumferential edge 211 that has an opening 212 in an approaching and leaving direction of the tool 4 moved by the magazine arm 34, a pair of engagement portions 213 are arranged on opposite ends of the inner circumferential edge 211 and beyond a half turn of a horizontal section of the holder 41, and the magazine arm 34 includes: a hand 341 configured to grip the holder 41 for the tool 4 that keeps the cutting part 42 standing and facing upward in a horizontal direction; approaching and leaving means configured to cause the hand 341 to approach the gripper 21 and leave therefrom; and elevator means configured to move the hand 341 up and down.