Vibration Feeder Supply with Transfer Zone for Mixed Fastener Geometries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supply devices for connection elements, such as self-piercing rivets and blind rivet nuts, are often designed for specific geometries and cannot automatically adapt to different element geometries, leading to inefficiencies in the supply process and increased noise, supervision, and sensor requirements.
Innovation Solution
A supply device with a first receiving container that feeds elements into a second receiving container, such as a vibration feeder, using a transfer zone and movable bottom or inner wall to control the dosed discharge of elements, reducing noise and supervision effort, and allowing for adjustable lateral cutouts and flexible retention devices to manage the flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing supply devices are designed for specific element geometries, then they can provide precise supply control for those elements, but they cannot automatically adapt to different element geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The supply device is designed with a universal receiving container and transfer zone configuration that can handle different element geometries (self-piercing rivets, blind rivet nuts, bolts, etc.) without requiring device redesign. The movable bottom and adjustable lateral cutouts provide universal adaptability across multiple element types while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Productivity
If a movable bottom or inner wall is used to control element discharge, then the discharge can be precisely controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving container is equipped with a movable bottom or inner wall that can be dynamically adjusted to control element discharge. This dynamic component allows precise control over when and how elements are transferred from the receiving container to the vibration feeder, enabling accurate supply control while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple through straightforward mechanical movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lateral cutouts and flexible retention devices are added to manage element flow, then adaptability to different geometries improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving container is provided with adjustable lateral cutouts that can be selectively positioned to accommodate different element geometries. These segmented openings, combined with flexible retention devices, allow the system to adapt to various element types by adjusting which segments are open or closed, providing flexibility without requiring complete redesign for each element geometry.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If elements are discharged in a controlled manner through a transfer zone, then noise and supervision needs are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A transfer zone is introduced as an intermediary region between the receiving container and the vibration feeder. This transfer zone acts as a buffer that controls element discharge in a managed manner, reducing noise by preventing direct dumping of elements and reducing supervision needs by automating the transfer process through the intermediary transfer region.
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 solution enables a controlled, efficient supply of elements to a vibration feeder, reducing noise and supervision needs while allowing for flexible adaptation to different element geometries, maintaining processing rates and simplifying the supply construction.
Implementation Method 1
at least the bottom, in particular an inner wall, of the second receiving container with regard to the first receiving container is movable such that the disordered elements are dischargeable from the first receiving volume of the first receiving container into the second receiving volume of the second receiving container by means of the movement of the bottom
Data Source
AI summary
A supply device with which elements in disordered form, in particular connection elements as bulk elements, are suppliable to a second receiving volume. The supply device includes a first receiving container from which, via an outlet opening, a plurality of elements is deliverable to a second receiving container. The second receiving container may consist of an oscillation feeder. The oscillation energy of the oscillation feeder is specifically transmitted onto the elements, which are stored in the first receiving container. With the help of the transmitted oscillations, elements are transferred from the first receiving container via a transfer zone from the first receiving container into the second receiving container.