Wire Bending Feed Unit Layout for Compact Series Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an apparatus that can efficiently bend wire-like material, particularly sections of wire, to form tools like spanners with specific shapes such as L-shaped, S-shaped, or Z-shaped, while being compact, easily installable, and compatible with existing machinery for large-scale mass production.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a gripping and feeding unit with comb-like jaws that synchronize to grip and transport wire sections to a bending unit, allowing for precise bending and forming of spanners, with a configuration that enables easy integration into existing machinery for high-speed production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If traditional forging machines are used to bend wire sections, then the equipment can perform basic shaping, but the machine dimensions become large and require significant installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus dimensionsVSAvoidseries-working capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing the gripping and feeding unit inside the working unit structure. The gripping and feeding unit is positioned within the internal space of the working unit, allowing compact integration of multiple functions in a small volume while maintaining series-working capability for high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the gripping and feeding unit with the working unit into a single integrated apparatus. This combination eliminates the need for separate large-scale equipment, achieving both compact dimensions and high productivity through unified design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex bending operations are performed to create L-shaped, S-shaped, or Z-shaped spanners, then product versatility increases, but the apparatus complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespanner shape capabilityVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by using a movable pressing element that can be repositioned along the wire section. This dynamic positioning capability allows the same apparatus structure to create various spanner shapes (L-shaped, S-shaped, Z-shaped) by changing the pressing element's position and movement pattern, achieving versatility without increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing element is designed as a universal component that can perform multiple bending operations. By adjusting the pressing element's position and movement, a single apparatus can produce different spanner configurations, making the device multi-functional without requiring complex specialized structures for each shape

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If precise gripping and feeding of wire sections is implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire section positioning accuracyVSAvoidgripping mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping and feeding unit is designed to automatically grasp and position wire sections without requiring complex external control systems. The unit self-regulates the feeding process, achieving precise positioning through its inherent mechanical design rather than through complex control mechanisms, thus maintaining manufacturing precision while minimizing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4084917B1Apparatus for bending wire-like material
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 FRAT MAURI
  • EP4084917B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4084917B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4084917B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Apparatus for working, in particular bending, wire-like material, characterized in that it comprises: • - a gripping and feeding unit 100 for gripping and feeding one or more sections of wire 1, designed to grip one or more sections of wirel in a pickup position and move the one or more sections of wire 1 inside the apparatus along a longitudinal direction X-X of advancing movement, so as to feed them to a working unit; • - a working unit 200 for working, in particular bending, the one or more sections of wire 1, arranged downstream of the gripping and feeding unit in the longitudinal direction; • - means for operating the two gripping and feeding and working units, designed to perform synchronized steps of gripping, movement and/or working of the one or more sections of wire.