Casting Apparatus Transfer Device Inversion Strategy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing casting ejection and core setting apparatuses require rotating the leading end arm of an articulated robot, which increases the casting cycle time due to the need to turn the core grasping and casting receiving mechanisms upside down.

Innovation Solution

A casting apparatus and method that utilize a transfer device with a robot arm, a core grasping mechanism, and a casting receiving part to place a core in one mold segment and receive a casting from another without rotating the mechanisms, allowing for sequential placement and retrieval without flipping, thus reducing cycle time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the leading end arm of the articulated robot is rotated to turn the core grasping and casting receiving mechanisms upside down, then the mechanisms can perform their functions, but the casting cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of core grasping and casting receiving mechanismsVSAvoidcasting cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the mechanisms upside down to perform their functions, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the mechanisms in their original orientation and using the robot arm's movement to achieve the same operational effect. The core grasping mechanism remains upright while the robot arm positions it over the mold, eliminating the need for rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent separates the functions of positioning and grasping/receiving. The robot arm handles positioning in the vertical direction, while the core grasping and casting receiving mechanisms remain in fixed orientations optimized for their specific functions, avoiding the need to rotate both mechanisms together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the leading end arm is rotated to place the core and receive the casting, then the operations can be completed, but the complexity of the motion sequence increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to place core and receive castingVSAvoidmotion sequence complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by keeping the grasping and receiving mechanisms in their original orientations and using the robot arm's positional movement to achieve the required operational sequences, thereby simplifying the motion planning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The robot arm is utilized for multiple functions including positioning the core grasping mechanism, positioning the casting receiving part, and controlling the timing of operations, reducing the need for specialized mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10773300B2Casting apparatus and casting method

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A casting apparatus includes: a mold including a first mold segment and a second mold segment; and a transfer device that is configured to transfer a core to the first mold segment and place the core in the first mold segment, and to receive and transfer a casting. The transfer device includes a support part, a robot arm, a core grasping mechanism being provided on the support part, and a casting receiving part being provided on the support part. The transfer device is configured such that the robot arm moves the core grasping mechanism so as to place the core in the first mold segment, and moves the casting receiving part so as to receive the casting by the casting receiving part.