Self-Driving Cleaning Shuttle for Lens Inspection Rail Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lens inspection modules face challenges in efficiently and reliably cleaning the closed-loop transportation rail, which leads to production interruptions and difficulty in accessing the inner surface for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A self-driving cleaning shuttle equipped with a driving unit, a cleaning head, a suction unit, and a tube is integrated onto the closed-loop transportation rail, allowing for automatic debris removal without operator intervention, ensuring continuous production and easy maintenance access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning of the transportation rail is performed by opening the safety door, then access to the rail is obtained, but production is interrupted and the inner surface is difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system performs maintenance automatically without requiring operator intervention. The self-driving cleaning shuttle autonomously navigates the transportation rail, positions the cleaning head, and removes debris, allowing the inspection module to maintain production continuity while performing necessary maintenance tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation is performed continuously during normal operation rather than waiting for manual intervention. By having the cleaning shuttle operate concurrently with production, debris is removed before it accumulates to problematic levels, preventing production interruptions
2Productivity
If a self-driving cleaning shuttle is implemented, then production continuity is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning shuttle serves multiple functions: it transports itself along the rail using the existing magnetic field infrastructure, positions the cleaning head automatically, performs the cleaning operation, and returns to its starting position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each task
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with an automated electromechanical system. The self-driving shuttle uses electromagnetic fields for propulsion and positioning, substituting the need for manual labor and complex mechanical linkages with a more compact, controllable electromagnetic system
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
The self-driving cleaning shuttle effectively removes debris from the transportation rail during operation, preventing production interruptions and simplifying maintenance by providing a continuous, automated cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit (72) and a tube (73) connecting the cleaning head (71) and the suction unit (72), wherein the cleaning head (71) comprises at least one suction opening arranged to face the closed-loop transportation rail (6) for removing debris from the closed-loop transportation rail (6) and for transporting the debris to the suction unit (72) through the tube (73)
Data Source
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AI summary
A lens inspection module comprises: - a lens insertion station, at least one lens inspection station, and a lens removal station as well as a closed-loop transportation rail, - a cuvette transportation shuttle with a plurality of inspection cuvettes, and - a self-driving cleaning shuttle for cleaning the rail. Cleaning shuttle comprises a driving unit a cleaning head, a suction unit, and a tube connecting cleaning head and suction unit. Cleaning head is spaced apart from suction unit and driving unit in the transportation direction and is pivotally arranged about a pivot axis. Cleaning head may comprise a distance sensor for detecting the distance between cleaning shuttle and transportation shuttle. Driving unit is configured to change the speed of the self-driving cleaning shuttle when the distance between the cleaning shuttle and the transportation shuttle is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance.