Adjustable Workpiece Carrier with Pivoting Support Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece carriers are inflexible and require a large number of specific designs for different types of workpieces, leading to excessive logistical and organizational efforts due to limited adaptability and high costs associated with repositioning or exchanging carrier elements.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece carrier with linearly displaceable bearing blocks and pivotably connected support elements, allowing for adjustable alignment and positioning without requiring simultaneous movement of bearing blocks, enabling flexible adaptation to various workpiece types using a system of linear guide elements and locking devices for automation-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If support elements are arranged rigidly and unchangeably, then the workpiece carrier is stable and simple to manufacture, but it can only be used for a very specific type of workpiece and requires a large number of different workpiece carriers for different workpiece types
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are made dynamically adjustable through linearly displaceable bearing blocks on guide elements and pivotable connections. This allows the workpiece carrier to adapt to different workpiece types by changing the position and alignment of support elements, resolving the contradiction between versatility and simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece carrier is divided into modular components: base part, linear guide elements, bearing blocks, and support elements. This segmentation enables independent adjustment of each component, providing versatility while keeping individual parts simple and manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of different workpiece carriers are required for different workpiece types, then each workpiece type can be optimized, but the organizational and logistical effort for procurement, storage and application-specific provision becomes considerable
Solution Approach 1:
A single workpiece carrier design with adjustable support elements can handle multiple workpiece types, replacing the need for numerous specialized carriers. This universality reduces logistical efforts while maintaining optimization capabilities for different workpiece types through adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If support elements are made adjustable to accommodate different workpiece types, then versatility is improved, but repositioning and exchanging carrier elements becomes very expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing blocks are designed to be linearly displaceable on the guide elements without requiring complex tools or specialized procedures. This self-service capability allows easy repositioning and adjustment, reducing the cost and complexity of modifying the workpiece carrier for different applications.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bearing blocks are made linearly displaceable on guide elements, then flexibility of positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Linear guide elements serve as intermediaries between the fixed base part and the movable bearing blocks. These guide elements provide a simple yet effective mechanism for constrained linear motion, enabling flexible positioning without requiring complex actuators or control systems for each bearing block.
Data Source
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AI summary
Workpiece carrier with a base part (1) and at least one support element (2), wherein the base part (1) has a first linear guide element (3) and a second linear guide element (4) at a distance from the first linear guide element (3), and that at least one first bearing block (9) is present, which is arranged linearly displaceably on the first linear guide element (3), and that at least one second bearing block (10) is present, which is arranged linearly displaceably on the second linear guide element (4), characterized in that a. the support element (2) is connected both to the first bearing block (9) in a movable manner, namely pivotable relative to the first linear guide element (3), and to the second bearing block (10) in a movable manner, namely pivotable relative to the second linear guide element (4). is and/or that b. the support element (2) is connected both to the first bearing block (9) and to the second bearing block (10) in such a way that the bearing blocks (9, 10) can be linearly displaced independently of one another.