Adaptive Robotic Locator Pins for Vehicle Frame Turnover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional frame turnover systems in vehicle manufacturing are inflexible and require reconfiguration for different chassis designs, limiting manufacturing efficiency due to variations in frame lengths and assembly components.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle frame turnover system utilizing multi-axis robots with product-compliant end effectors, featuring locator pins that can adapt to various frame designs by aligning and grasping from the outside, allowing for 180-degree rotation and deposition onto a conveyor without the need for complex design-specific equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional frame turnover systems are used, then the system can handle specific frame designs, but the system requires reconfiguration for different chassis designs, reducing manufacturing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal robotic turnover system where the same robotic setup with product-compliant end effectors can handle multiple frame styles and configurations. The system achieves multi-functionality by using adaptive grasping mechanisms that automatically adjust to different frame geometries, eliminating the need for reconfiguration when switching between chassis designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs product-compliant end effectors that can dynamically adjust their grasping parameters (force, position, orientation) to accommodate variations in frame design. This parameter adaptability allows the same physical hardware to effectively handle different frame types without mechanical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between versatility and retooling time.
2Manufacturing precision
If design-specific equipment is used for each frame style, then the system can precisely handle specific frame configurations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical reconfiguration systems with intelligent robotic systems equipped with sensors and adaptive control. Instead of having physical equipment tailored to each frame design, the system uses software-based adaptation through product-compliant end effectors that can programmatically adjust their behavior to match different frame geometries, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system introduces dynamic adaptability through real-time sensing and control adjustments. The end effectors can dynamically modify their grasping strategy based on the detected frame configuration, replacing static design-specific equipment with a dynamic system that adapts its behavior to achieve precise handling of various frame types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the robotic system uses fixed end effectors, then the system structure is simpler, but the system cannot accommodate variance in frame construction within allowable tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements end effectors with adjustable parameters that can compensate for manufacturing tolerances and variations in frame construction. The system modifies grasping parameters (position, force, orientation) in real-time to accommodate frame variance within allowable tolerances, achieving adaptability without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration for each variation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for turning over a vehicle frame defining openings and having a longitudinal center axis includes first and second robots each having an end effector. Each end effector has a pair of oppositely-positioned locator pins, at least one of which is selectively moveable toward the other. A controller is used to control the positioning of the frame via the robots and end effector by executing method instructions to cause the robots to align the locator pins of the end effectors with the openings of the frame, and to insert the aligned locator pins into the openings toward the center axis from outside of the vehicle frame. The robots lift the frame from a first conveyor, with weight of the vehicle frame born by the locator pins during the lift. The robots also rotate the frame about the center axis and lower the vehicle frame onto a second conveyor.