Docking System Adjustment Mechanism for Clamping Frame Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current docking systems for clamping frames in vehicle body shell production face challenges in quickly and reliably docking and undocking objects with minimal effort, particularly due to alignment issues and limited frame selection, which can result in misalignment and increased wear.

Innovation Solution

A docking system with an adjustment mechanism that allows relative movement between the docking system and the transport system during docking and undocking, using bolts with a loose connection to facilitate precise alignment and movement, and a slider mechanism to control relative mobility, ensuring accurate positioning and reducing the risk of damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the clamping frame is rigidly fixed to the transport system, then positioning precision is improved, but docking complexity and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddocking complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The docking system incorporates an adjustment mechanism that enables dynamic adaptation during docking. The clamping frame can temporarily assume different positions relative to the transport system during the docking process, allowing for alignment compensation. Once docked, the mechanism stabilizes to maintain precise positioning. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling both easy alignment and precise positioning without requiring complex rigid fixing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the clamping frame is rigidly fixed to the transport system, then positioning precision is improved, but wear and damage risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidwear and damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism allows the docking system to dynamically adapt during the docking process, enabling alignment compensation without forcing rigid connection. This reduces impact forces and wear during docking operations while maintaining precise positioning once docked, thereby resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and wear damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism acts as a cushioning element that absorbs misalignment forces before they can cause damage to the clamping frame or transport system. By allowing temporary positional adjustments, the mechanism prevents harmful impact forces during docking while ensuring precise positioning is achieved, thus reducing wear and damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple clamping frames are stored and selected, then adaptability is improved, but docking time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe selection capabilityVSAvoiddocking time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism provides a universal solution that works with multiple different clamping frame types. Instead of requiring separate docking mechanisms for each frame type, the single adjustment mechanism can accommodate various frames by adapting its position, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing docking time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2792627B1Docking system
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 HAGER HANS
  • EP2792627B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2792627B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2792627B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A docking system (2) for docking an object to a transport system designed for moving the object is described, comprising first connecting means (21) designed for connecting the docking system to the object (3) to be moved, and second connecting means (22) designed for connecting the docking system to the transport system (1, 11). The docking system according to the invention is characterized in that the docking system includes an adjustment mechanism (23) by which it is adjustable whether the docking system is movable relative to the transport system in the state connected to the transport system via the second connecting means or not.