Compact Servo Press Frame Layout for Flexible Pressing Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing press apparatuses are bulky due to the external placement of servomotors and power-transmission mechanisms, limiting their integration with robot arms and restricting pressing locations.
Innovation Solution
The servomotor and at least a portion of the power-transmission mechanism are integrated within the frame, allowing for a compact design that measures load and reduces protrusion, using mechanisms like ball-screw or planetary-roller screw systems to simplify the structure and enhance compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the servomotor and power-transmission mechanism are provided outside of the frame, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the size of the press apparatus increases and the robot arm movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the servomotor and power-transmission mechanism inside the frame structure by providing a cutout portion in the frame that accommodates these components. The servomotor is positioned within the frame's internal space, and the power-transmission mechanism is arranged to convert rotational motion to reciprocating motion of the ram while remaining contained within the frame boundaries. This merging of components eliminates the need for external mounting, reducing the overall apparatus size and removing restrictions on robot arm movement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through the frame's modular design with integrated cutout portions.
2Volume of moving object
If the servomotor and power-transmission mechanism are integrated within the frame, then the size of the press apparatus is reduced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into distinct functional zones: a cutout portion that houses the servomotor, a power-transmission mechanism section, and a ram reciprocation path. This segmentation allows each component to be positioned optimally within the frame's internal volume while maintaining clear separation of functions. The cutout portion is specifically designed to accommodate the servomotor without interfering with the ram's reciprocating motion, and the power-transmission mechanism is arranged to efficiently convert rotational to linear motion within the available space. This segmented approach reduces structural complexity compared to a fully integrated monolithic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The servomotor and power-transmission mechanism are nested within the frame's internal cavity space. The servomotor is positioned in the cutout portion, and the power-transmission mechanism is arranged around or adjacent to it, both contained within the frame's outer boundaries. This nesting arrangement allows the press apparatus to maintain a compact external footprint while accommodating multiple functional components internally, reducing the overall apparatus size without requiring a completely complex external structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the press apparatus is made compact by integrating components within the frame, then the robot arm movement is no longer restricted, but the load measurement capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
A load cell is introduced as an intermediary component between the ram and the frame structure to measure the pressing load. The load cell is positioned in the force transmission path, converting mechanical load into an electrical signal that can be processed by the control system. This intermediary device enables accurate load measurement while allowing the ram to reciprocate freely within the frame's cutout portion, maintaining both the compact design and the load measurement capability necessary for quality control in pressing operations.
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
This design results in a compact press apparatus that ensures acceptable pressing performance without location restrictions, even when integrated with robot arms, by minimizing size protrusions and enabling versatile pressing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a ball-screw mechanism, which is widely used in servopresses, can constitute the power-transmission mechanism
Implementation Method 2
the power-transmission mechanism may comprise a nut extending in the first direction, a screw shaft extending in the first direction within the nut, and a plurality of planetary-roller screws disposed between the nut and the screw shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A compact press apparatus is provided that is capable of assuring the acceptability of a pressing, and in which the pressing location tends not to be restricted. Such a press apparatus includes a frame (1, 77) and a servopress (31, 50, 60, 101). A servomotor (33, 52, 62, 103) is provided within a first frame part (11, 17, 19, 79) or within a connecting-frame part (15, 83). At least a portion of a power-transmission mechanism (40, 56, 66, 90, 110) is provided within the first frame part (15, 83).