Valve Stem Retainer Assembly Head for Faster Cotter Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retainer assembly processes for valve stems require fine adjustments and separate supply of retainers and cotter pieces, leading to increased cycle time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
An assembling apparatus with a retainer placing head and cotter piece engaging head, featuring a holding unit, push unit, horizontal moving unit, and elevating unit, allows for simultaneous horizontal and vertical movement to efficiently position and assemble retainers and cotter pieces on valve stems, reducing cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pair of cotter pieces are set in the separated state in advance (PTL 4), then the cotter pieces can be placed in the same posture, but the number of steps increases and the cycle time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the retainer and the pair of cotter pieces into a single integrated component supplied to the valve stem. This merging eliminates the need for separate supply and assembly steps for retainers and cotter pieces, reducing the number of steps and shortening the assembly cycle time while maintaining posture consistency through the integrated design
2Manufacturing precision
If fine adjustment is performed on an apparatus basis to place the pair of cotter pieces in the same posture (PTL 1 to PTL 3), then the cotter pieces can be positioned correctly, but time is required until the start of the first operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates the pair of cotter pieces and the retainer as a pre-assembled integrated component in the supply stage. This preliminary action eliminates the need for apparatus adjustments before operation, as the posture alignment is already determined by the integrated design, allowing immediate start of production without time loss
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 apparatus significantly shortens the assembly cycle time by enabling precise and efficient placement of retainers and cotter pieces on valve stems without the need for extensive adjustments, improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
biasing means for biasing the push member in an advancing direction
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention provides an assembling apparatus that places a retainer on a valve spring provided to surround an upper end of a valve stem, comprising: an assembling head configured to place the retainer on the valve spring; and a moving unit configured to move the assembling head between a supply position of the retainer and an assembling position, wherein the assembling head comprises: a holding unit configured to hold the retainer at a lower end; and a push unit configured to push out the retainer held by the holding unit, the moving unit comprises: a horizontal moving unit configured to move the assembling head in a horizontal direction; and an elevating unit configured to raise/lower the assembling head, and the push unit comprises: a push member supported to be able to advance/retreat along an elevating direction of the assembling head by the elevating unit; and biasing means for biasing the push member in an advancing direction, characterized in that the holding unit includes two holding members which face each other in a direction orthogonal to the elevating direction, and the push member is located in a middle between the two holding members in the direction orthogonal to the elevating direction.