Dual-Carriage Tool Assembly for Multi-Axis Rail Operations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carriage guide rail systems in production lines are limited to single-axis movement of carriages, requiring multiple manufacturing robots for complex assembly tasks, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A tool assembly is attached to two carriages of a carriage guide rail system, featuring a base and a linear actuator that moves relative to the base, allowing for rotational and translational motions of attached equipment to assist manufacturing or assembly processes, reducing the need for additional robots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple manufacturing robots are used for complex assembly tasks, then the manufacturing capability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing functions into a single carriage by integrating a tool assembly with both a first tool and a second tool. This tool assembly can perform multiple assembly operations simultaneously or sequentially, eliminating the need for multiple separate manufacturing robots while maintaining complex manufacturing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage is designed with universal functionality to carry and operate multiple different tools. The tool assembly can be configured with various tools depending on the manufacturing task requirements, allowing a single carriage to perform diverse assembly operations that previously required multiple specialized robots.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple manufacturing robots are deployed, then complex assembly tasks can be performed, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple tool functions into a single integrated tool assembly on one carriage, reducing the total number of manufacturing robots required. This consolidation directly lowers equipment costs, installation costs, and maintenance costs while preserving the capability to perform complex assembly tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal tool assembly design allows a single carriage to handle multiple assembly operations with different tools, replacing multiple expensive specialized robots. The modular tool configuration enables flexibility in performing various assembly tasks without additional equipment investment.
3Device complexity
If carriages are restricted to single-axis movement, then the system design is simplified, but the manufacturing process flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic capabilities to the carriage by enabling rotational movement of the tool assembly and individual tools relative to the carriage body. This allows tools to be oriented in different directions and perform operations from multiple angles, providing process flexibility while maintaining the simple single-axis translation of the carriage itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds rotational degrees of freedom to the tool assembly, allowing tools to move from the single-axis linear motion of the carriage into additional rotational dimensions. This enables complex assembly operations requiring multi-axis tool positioning without complicating the underlying carriage guide rail system.
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
Enables more complex manufacturing processes with fewer robots by utilizing the relative movement of the linear actuator to initiate actions on attached tools, enhancing productivity and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a linear actuator movable relative to the base; the linear actuator comprises a second connector for attaching to the other one of the two carriages
Data Source
AI summary
A tool assembly for attaching to two carriages of a carriage guide rail system; wherein the two carriages are movable along the carriage guide rail relative to one another, the tool assembly having a base and a linear actuator movable relative to the base; wherein the base has a first connector for attaching to one of the two carriages; wherein the linear actuator has a second connector for attaching to the other one of the two carriages; wherein the base has a first base portion attaching to the first connector; wherein the first base portion is arranged between at least a part of the linear actuator and the two connectors in a direction perpendicular to the carriage guide rail.