Compensating Gripper for Automated Adapter Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for filling assemblies on automotive production lines require significant manual effort and are inefficient when handling multiple different filling adapters at various positions, making it difficult to manage and maintain the process.
Innovation Solution
An industrial robot with a compensating gripper is used to remove and place filling adapters in an adapter tray, with synchronized drives and a compensating mechanism to handle positional deviations, allowing for easy integration of new adapters and reduced manual labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual handling of filling adapters is used, then simplicity of system is maintained, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate due to significant manual effort required
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system automatically removes and places filling adapters without human intervention. The robot autonomously navigates to the vehicle, removes the adapter from the filling position, and places it in the adapter tray, making the system self-sufficient for adapter handling tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system is designed to handle multiple different types of filling adapters at various positions on different vehicle types. The same robot can adapt to handle fuel adapters, lubricant adapters, coolant adapters, and other operating material adapters, providing universal functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional handling systems are used, then system structure is simple, but adaptability deteriorates when handling multiple different filling adapters at different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The traversing console and robot axis are equipped with independently controllable synchronized drives that can dynamically adjust their positions and movements. This dynamic control system allows the robot to reach various positions on the vehicle while maintaining synchronization with the traversing console, enabling adaptation to different adapter positions
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronized drive system incorporates feedback control to coordinate the movement of the traversing console and robot axis. The system monitors and adjusts the positions of both components to ensure they move in coordination, enabling the robot to accurately reach filling positions on moving vehicles
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid connection between traversing console and robot axis is used, then control is simplified, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to vehicle tolerances and position deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamically controllable independent drives on both the traversing console and robot axis, allowing real-time adjustment of positions to compensate for vehicle tolerances and ensure precise adapter removal despite manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 2:
The independent drive systems incorporate feedback control to monitor and adjust positions, enabling the robot to accurately locate and remove adapters even when vehicle components have manufacturing tolerances that cause position variations
4Ease of operation
If industrial robot with compensating gripper is used, then ease of operation improves by minimizing manual effort, but device complexity increases due to compensating mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The compensating gripper autonomously compensates for position deviations and angular offsets during adapter removal without requiring manual adjustment. The gripper's built-in compensation mechanism automatically adapts to variations in adapter positioning, making the operation easier and more consistent
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves driving a vehicle (1) along production lines during filling components with operating fluids. A filling adaptor is removed from a connection region of the components by using an industrial robot (6) after filling the components with the operating fluids. The industrial robot is guided along a linear axle (8), and a rail system (7) is provided with the linear axle and a console (9). A compensation gripper and a gripping element are designed such that a compensation mechanism is triggered during grasping movement. An independent claim is also included for a device for filling components with operating fluids on automobile industry production lines.