Coaxial Feed Drive for Compact Joining Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for direct screwing and friction welding are bulky and heavy due to the need for a massive support structure to transmit high feed forces, making them unsuitable for compact applications like robot hands in the motor vehicle industry.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with a coaxial arrangement of a drive shaft and feed unit, utilizing a non-pneumatic feed motor and spindle drive to transmit high feed forces and speeds without a solid support structure, allowing for efficient power transmission and quick switching between process stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a massive support structure is used to transmit high feed forces, then the reliability of force transmission is improved, but the device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical pneumatic system with an electric motor system. The electric motor (16) directly generates the feed force through a spindle drive mechanism, eliminating the need for pneumatic cylinders and massive mechanical support structures. This substitution maintains force transmission reliability while significantly reducing device weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the drive shaft (12) is positioned coaxially within the guide element (10), and the feed unit components are integrated within the same spatial envelope. The electric motor, spindle, and drive shaft are arranged concentrically, allowing high feed forces to be transmitted through a compact, nested structure rather than requiring a bulky external support framework.
2Force
If a pneumatic feed drive system is used, then high feed forces can be generated, but the system becomes complex and occupies large installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex pneumatic feed drive system with a compact electric motor system. The electric motor (16) with spindle drive directly generates and transmits feed force axially to the drive shaft, eliminating pneumatic cylinders, hoses, and associated control systems. This reduces both system complexity and installation space while maintaining the capability to generate high feed forces.
3Speed
If a rotary drive and pneumatic feed drive are arranged in parallel, then high acceleration and feed forces are achieved, but the device requires large installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the rotary drive and feed drive components in a nested, coaxial configuration. The electric motor for feed drive is positioned within the guide element structure, and the drive shaft rotates concentrically within the same spatial envelope. This nested arrangement allows both rotational motion and axial feed motion to be generated within a compact footprint, eliminating the need for parallel arrangement and reducing installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of rotary drive and feed drive into an integrated compact unit. Both the electric motor for rotation and the electric motor for axial feed are housed within the same guide element structure, combining what were previously separate parallel systems into a unified compact assembly that achieves both high acceleration and high feed forces without requiring large installation space.
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 device achieves a compact and lightweight design capable of transmitting high forces and speeds, suitable for motor vehicle industry applications, with reduced construction volume and weight, enabling reliable power transmission and efficient process control.
Implementation Method 1
the component is heated at the intended hole position by the flow-drilling screw using a high rotational speed and a high feed force, and then plastically deformed
Implementation Method 2
the component is heated at the intended hole position by the flow-drilling screw using a high rotational speed and a high feed force, and then plastically deformed
Implementation Method 3
the feed drive has a feed unit for transmitting the feed motion and a feed force of at least 500 N, preferably at least 1000 N
Implementation Method 4
a drive shaft (12), which is driven during operation by a rotary drive (22) comprising a rotary motor
Implementation Method 5
utilizing a non-pneumatic feed motor and spindle drive to transmit high feed forces and speeds without a solid support structure
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
AI summary
The device (2) for direct screwing, in particular for flow drilling or friction welding, has a guide element (10) extending in an axial direction (18), which is in particular designed as a guide tube. A drive shaft (12) is arranged within this guide element (10) and is movable in the axial direction (18). The drive shaft (12) is driven by a rotary drive (22). Additionally, a feed drive (16) is arranged, which is designed to generate a feed motion and feed force that is transmitted to the drive shaft (12). This is done via a feed unit (40, 42). During the process, depending on a process parameter, the feed force is switched from a high feed force (F) to a reduced feed force (F) (flow drilling) or to a higher feed force (F) (friction welding).In order to enable a design that is as compact and weight-saving as possible, the feed unit (40,42) is arranged coaxially to the drive shaft (12) within the guide unit (10) and transmits the feed force (F) to the drive shaft (12) in an axial and central direction.