Adjustable Fixture Assembly for Curved Surface Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In manufacturing processes, such as attaching window glass to a railcar body with complex shapes, achieving precise alignment and contact between curved surfaces is challenging, leading to difficulties in position adjustment and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A fixture system with adjustable fittings and positioning bolts allows for precise alignment in three orthogonal directions (x, y, z) by using cylindrical portions, elongated holes, and a floating nut mechanism, enabling complex movement and adjustment of the second object relative to the first object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional fixed fixtures are used to attach objects with complex curved surfaces, then the attachment process is simple, but the alignment accuracy and contact surface coincidence between objects deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture employs adjustable fittings with movable portions that can be positioned and fixed at various locations along elongated holes. This dynamic adjustability allows the fixture to adapt to complex curved surfaces while maintaining high alignment accuracy, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture is divided into multiple independent fittings, each with its own positioning mechanism. The first fitting has a movable portion that can be adjusted independently, and the second fitting can rotate independently. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific adjustment needs, improving overall alignment accuracy without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If adjustable fittings are used to achieve precise alignment of complex surfaces, then alignment accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first fitting serves multiple functions: it provides a base for positioning, includes an elongated hole for adjustable positioning, and allows the movable portion to be fixed at various locations. The second fitting similarly provides both positioning and rotation capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, achieving high contact surface coincidence without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple positioning mechanisms are added to achieve precise position adjustment in multiple directions, then position adjustment capability improves, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture combines multiple positioning capabilities into integrated fittings. The first fitting merges the elongated hole for linear adjustment with the movable portion for angular adjustment. The second fitting merges positioning and rotation about the z-axis into a single component. This merging reduces the total number of separate components while maintaining comprehensive position adjustment capability in multiple directions.
Data Source
AI summary
A fixture of the present disclosure includes: a first fitting fixed to a first object; a second fitting fixed to a second object; and a positioning bolt fixing a position of the second fitting relative to the first fitting. The first fitting includes: a cylindrical portion extending in a z direction and including a first elongated hole on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, the first elongated hole extending in a circumferential direction; a shaft that turns inside the cylindrical portion and includes a screw hole corresponding to the positioning bolt; and a first fixing portion to which the first object is fixed. The second fitting includes: a movable portion including a second elongated hole extending in an x direction and through which the positioning bolt penetrates; and a second fixing portion to which the second object is fixed.