Beam-Framed Gun Arm Structure for Low-Deflection Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joining methods, particularly solid-phase resistance spot joining, face challenges with misalignment of joining units due to deflection of gun arms under reactive forces, which compromises joint quality, especially when the gun arm is lightweight or thin.
Innovation Solution
A gun arm design featuring an inner and outer frame connected by beams with specific angular extensions and holes or ribs for improved rigidity and reduced weight, allowing for better load distribution and reduced deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the gun arm is formed from a frame or decreased in thickness for weight reduction, then the weight of the joining apparatus is reduced, but the rigidity of the gun arm deteriorates causing deflection under reactive force
Solution Approach 1:
The gun arm is segmented into multiple beam elements (first through fourth beams) that are arranged in a specific configuration. Each beam is positioned at different angles relative to the longitudinal axis, creating a distributed structural framework that provides rigidity while maintaining weight efficiency. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple structural elements rather than requiring a single heavy component.
Solution Approach 2:
The beams are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the gun arm. The first and second beams extend at different angles than the third and fourth beams, creating an optimized structural configuration that provides enhanced rigidity in critical directions while minimizing material usage. This asymmetric arrangement allows for targeted reinforcement where reactive forces are most impactful.
2Manufacturing precision
If the gun arm is deflected by reactive force during joining, then the structure can be lighter, but the alignment of joining units deteriorates lowering joint quality
Solution Approach 1:
The gun arm structure is divided into multiple discrete beam elements that can independently bear specific portions of the reactive load. This segmentation prevents concentrated stress that would cause deflection and maintains the positional relationship between the first and second joining units, ensuring their coaxial alignment is preserved during the joining operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The beams are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration extending at various angles from the longitudinal axis, creating a spatial framework that provides rigidity in multiple directions. This multi-dimensional arrangement ensures that the gun arm resists deflection in the critical directions that would affect joining unit alignment, while still maintaining an overall lightweight structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3F
AI summary
The present application relates to a gun arm (100) which includes an inner frame portion (110), an outer frame portion (120), and beams (131 to 140). The inner frame portion (110) includes a base portion (111) and a first extension portion (112) and a second extension portion (113), the first extension portion (112) and the second extension portion (113) extending from one end and the other end in a first direction thereof, in a second direction, respectively. When viewed from a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, each of the beams (131 to 140) extends away in the first direction from a central portion (C) of the base portion (111) in the first direction, from a side of the inner frame portion (110) toward the outer frame portion (120). When viewed from the third direction, an angle of an acute angle formed by a direction of extension of each of the beams (131 to 140) with respect to the base portion (111) is smaller as an intersection (c1 to c10) between the direction of extension and the base portion (111) is more distant from the central portion (C) in the first direction.