Dashboard Clip Tool Changeover with Lifting and Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool systems for equipping interior vehicle components with connector clips are inflexible and costly, requiring complete replacement when components change, leading to production line disruptions and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A tool system with a removable excavation and centering unit that allows quick tool changes, using lifting means for precise positioning and alignment, enabling easy transfer between working and changing positions, and utilizing a changing trolley for efficient tool exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the tool system is permanently integrated into the production plant, then high positioning accuracy is achieved, but the production line cannot be quickly reconfigured for different components
Solution Approach 1:
The tool system is divided into separate modular components: the tool itself, the lifting and centering unit, and the production plant integration point. This segmentation allows the tool to be quickly removed and replaced without affecting the permanent infrastructure, enabling rapid reconfiguration for different components while maintaining high positioning accuracy through the reusable centering unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool system transitions from a static permanently integrated configuration to a dynamic modular system. The tool can be moved between different positions (production position and storage position) and replaced efficiently using the lifting unit, providing adaptability while maintaining operational precision through the centering mechanism.
2Reliability
If the tool system is permanently integrated, then positioning precision is maintained, but maintenance and repair cause extended production shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is extracted from the permanent production infrastructure and made independently replaceable. When maintenance or repair is needed, the tool can be quickly removed using the lifting unit and replaced with a备用 tool, minimizing production downtime while the original tool is serviced. The centering unit remains in place, ensuring positioning precision is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for quick disposal of the tool from the production line and recovery of the centering unit and other reusable components. The tool can be replaced with a new or repaired unit while the lifting and centering infrastructure remains intact and reusable, reducing maintenance downtime.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the entire tool system is replaced when components change, then production requirements are met, but costs become extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting and centering unit is designed as a universal infrastructure that can work with different tools for various interior components. Only the specific tool needs to be changed when production requirements change, not the entire system. This multi-functionality allows the same centering unit to support multiple different tools, significantly reducing conversion costs while maintaining adaptability.
4Productivity
If the tool system is permanently integrated, then operational stability is ensured, but tool changes require complete system replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into replaceable tool components and permanent infrastructure components. This allows simple tool changes without complex system reconfiguration - the tool is removed and replaced while the lifting and centering infrastructure remains unchanged, maintaining operational stability while improving tool change efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tooling system for fitting interior components, in particular dashboards or parts thereof, with connector clips, wherein the tooling system comprises: - a tool (10) configured to receive an interior component such that the interior component can be fitted with connector clips, - a lifting and centering unit (20) for receiving the tool (10), wherein the lifting and centering unit (20) comprises lifting means (21) for lifting the tool (10) from a working position to a changeover position and centering means (25) for precisely centering the tool (10) in the working position. The invention further relates to a method for changing a tool of such a tooling system.