Wire Fastener Placing Apparatus Angular Position Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tying guns face challenges in precise positioning and maintenance due to the inertia of components, requiring manual effort and leading to premature wear, and lack the ability to stop instantly at intermediate positions for operations like wire replacement.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a continuously variable angular position sensor for the sequential actuation wheel and twister, allowing for progressive stopping and precise positioning, reducing mechanical stress and enabling automatic control of motor speed based on angular position, facilitating easier maintenance and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If indexing magnets with Hall effect sensors are used to trigger motor control commands, then the tying cycle phases can be triggered at predetermined angular positions, but the system cannot stop at intermediate positions and requires precise machining of magnet positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position detection precisionVSAvoidability to stop at intermediate positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static indexing magnets to a dynamic encoder disk with continuous angular position feedback. The encoder disk rotates with the sequential drive wheel and provides real-time angular position information, enabling the motor to stop at any intermediate position while maintaining precise angular detection capability throughout the rotation cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical indexing magnet system is replaced with an optical or magnetic encoder system. The encoder disk with radial markings or magnetic patterns provides continuous angular position feedback to the motor control circuit, eliminating the need for discrete indexing magnets and Hall effect sensors while enabling precise positioning at any angular location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the motor rotates at high speed to increase productivity, then more ties can be installed per hour, but the inertia prevents precise positioning when stopping at intermediate positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of ties installed per hourVSAvoidpositioning precision at stop
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder system provides continuous feedback on the sequential drive wheel's angular position to the motor control circuit. This feedback enables the motor to maintain high rotational speeds during operation while precisely controlling deceleration and stopping at any desired intermediate position, as the control circuit receives real-time position data to execute accurate stopping commands regardless of prior speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple indexing magnets are added to enable additional functions like tool stopping, then the positioning capability is improved, but the device complexity and signal masking issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to perform multiple functionsVSAvoidnumber of indexing magnets and signal handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder disk serves as a universal positioning reference for all device functions. Instead of requiring separate indexing magnets for different operations (tool stopping, wire replacement, maintenance), the single encoder system provides continuous angular position feedback that enables any function to be triggered at any angular position, simplifying the overall device architecture while increasing versatility.

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

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

This solution enables precise and controlled positioning of components, reducing wear and tear, allowing for faster cycle times and improved durability of the tying gun, while also simplifying maintenance and wire replacement processes.

Implementation Method 1

When an indexing magnet passes in front of a Hall effect sensor, an instantaneous signal is sent to the motor control circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3768069B1Apparatus for placing wire fasteners
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 PELLENC SA
  • EP3768069B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3768069B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3768069B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus for placing wire fasteners. The apparatus comprises: a wire guide (41, 44, 46, 100), a pivoting hook (40) forming a section of the wire guide, a mechanical feeder (44) of fastening wire, a blade (40) for cutting the wire, a rotary twister (30), a single electric motor (22), a transmission mechanism comprising a wheel (60) for sequential actuation of the hook (40) and the blade (46), a first sensor (130) of the angular position of the sequential actuation wheel (60), and an electronic circuit (120) for controlling the electric motor (22) connected to the first angular position sensor (130). According to the invention, the first angular position sensor (130) is a continuously variable signal sensor that is sensitive to a rotation of the sequential actuation wheel (60) over an angular range of 360 degrees. The invention can be used in the field of viticulture and arboriculture.