Conical Rotation Mechanism for Piston Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection apparatuses are not designed to conically rotate inspection targets at an angle, limiting their ability to detect defects like scratches on surfaces, such as a crown surface of a piston, and often result in increased costs due to the use of articulated robots.
Innovation Solution
A pose change apparatus that includes a first output shaft rotatable around a first rotational axis, a second output shaft rotatable around a second rotational axis tilted at an angle with respect to the first rotational axis, and actuators to rotate these shafts within predetermined angular ranges, allowing the inspection target to be conically rotated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an articulated robot is used to hold and rotate the inspection target, then conical rotation capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism is divided into two independent rotational systems: a first rotational axis for horizontal rotation and a second rotational axis tilted at an angle for conical motion. Each axis has its own actuator, allowing independent control and simplifying the overall system architecture compared to using a complex articulated robot.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-rotational-axis mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables both horizontal rotation and conical rotation of the inspection target, replacing the need for specialized articulated robots while maintaining versatility for different inspection scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an articulated robot is used to hold the inspection target, then conical rotation is enabled, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the rotation function into two simple rotational axes with separate actuators, the system avoids the high cost of articulated robots while achieving the same conical rotation capability through a more economical modular approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simpler, more cost-effective rotational mechanisms instead of expensive articulated robots, achieving the required functionality through affordable components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed.
3Device complexity
If the inspection target is rotated only around a single axis, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect surface defects like scratches is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from single-axis rotation to dual-axis rotation, where the second axis is tilted at an angle relative to the first. This dimensional addition enables conical rotation that provides multiple viewing angles, significantly improving defect detection capability while keeping each individual axis relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilted second rotational axis creates a conical rotation path for the inspection target, allowing the inspection system to scan surfaces from multiple angular perspectives similar to spherical scanning, thereby improving defect detection without requiring complex articulated mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A pose change apparatus includes a first output shaft rotatable around a first rotational axis, a first member rotatable around the first output shaft according to the rotation of the first output shaft, a second output shaft disposed on the first member and rotatable around a second rotational axis tilted at an angle with respect to the first rotational axis, a second member disposed on the first member, configured to hold the inspection target, and rotatable around the second rotational axis according to the rotation of the second output shaft, a first actuator configured to rotate the first output shaft forwardly and reversely within a predetermined angular range, and a second actuator configured to rotate the second output shaft forwardly and reversely within a predetermined angular range.