Ball-Based Compliance Unit for XY Motion and Tilt Error Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional compliance units cannot absorb positioning errors related to inclination due to their inability to pivot about the X-axis and Y-axis, limiting their flexibility in automatic assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A compliance unit design featuring a table portion that is tiltable with respect to the slide portion, allowing movement in the XY plane and tilting, with a configuration of first and second balls around the Z-axis to absorb errors in inclination, while maintaining a compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the table is made tiltable to absorb inclination errors, then flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting mechanism utilizes spherical ball elements (first balls arranged around the axis and second ball on the axis) that naturally accommodate rotational movement in multiple directions. The spherical geometry inherently provides freedom of rotation about multiple axes while maintaining simple contact interfaces, reducing the need for complex mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the same ball arrangement that enables XY-plane sliding also facilitates pivoting about X-axis and Y-axis. The first and second balls work together as a unified mechanism to provide both translational and rotational compliance, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each degree of freedom.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple balls are arranged around the axis and a single ball on the axis, then the table can tilt and move in XY plane in a compact manner, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple balls (first balls arranged around the axis and second ball on the axis) serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enable sliding in XY plane, facilitate pivoting about X-axis and Y-axis, and maintain compact dimensions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components that would increase manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball configuration is nested within the compliance unit structure, with the first balls positioned around the axis and the second ball positioned on the axis, creating a compact nested arrangement. This nesting allows the complex multi-degree-of-freedom mechanism to be contained within a small volume without requiring extensive external linkages or mechanisms.
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
Enables the absorption of errors concerning inclination and movement in the XY plane, providing enhanced flexibility and stability during automatic assembly, particularly when interacting with a robot hand.
Implementation Method 1
a retainer that holds a plurality of first balls is arranged between the slide body constituting the slide portion and a base plate constituting the table portion, and the plurality of first balls are arranged around an axis of the slide portion that coincides with the Z axis. A single second ball is arranged on the axis line of the slide portion between a first ball receiving plate constituting the slide portion and a second ball receiving plate constituting the table portion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A retainer (68) that holds a plurality of first balls (70) is arranged between a slide body (38) constituting a slide portion (30) and a base plate (62) constituting a table portion (54), the plurality of first balls are arranged around an axis (C1) of the slide portion that coincides with the Z-axis, and a single second ball (72) is arranged on the axis of the slide portion between a ball receiving plate (42) constituting the slide portion and a ball receiving plate (60) constituting the table portion.