Electromechanical Balancing for Welding Gripper Docking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gripper systems for electric resistance welding face challenges in accurately docking and balancing electrodes relative to sheets without causing deformation, due to positioning uncertainties and varying orientations, requiring additional degrees of freedom and complex balancing mechanisms that are often pneumatically driven, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical gripper system with a reversible electric motor and position detector, utilizing a screw-nut system for autonomous balancing and docking, eliminates the need for pneumatic systems by autonomously adjusting the gripper's position relative to the sheets for precise contact and balancing, regardless of orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pneumatic systems are used for balancing and docking operations, then the gripper can compensate for positioning uncertainties and varying orientations, but the operational costs increase and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic balancing system with an electromechanical system consisting of a reversible electric motor coupled to a screw-nut mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for compressed air while providing precise control over the mobile sub-assembly position, thereby reducing operational costs and system complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical balancing system enables the gripper to autonomously adjust and balance itself relative to the sheets without requiring external pneumatic infrastructure. The reversible motor can independently move the mobile sub-assembly in both directions to achieve proper positioning and balancing, making the system self-sufficient
2Manufacturing precision
If pneumatic systems are used for docking operations, then precise contact between electrodes and sheets can be achieved, but operational costs increase due to compressed air consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pneumatic actuators with an electromechanical screw-nut mechanism driven by a reversible electric motor. This mechanism provides precise linear movement for docking the mobile sub-assembly with the sheets, achieving the same positioning precision without consuming compressed air, thereby eliminating ongoing operational costs associated with pneumatic systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional degrees of freedom are added for balancing, then the gripper can maintain flexibility across various orientations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible electric motor with screw-nut mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the additional degree of freedom for balancing, enables docking operations, and allows the gripper to adapt to various orientations. This multi-functional component reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The electromechanical balancing system dynamically adjusts the position of the mobile sub-assembly in real-time, allowing the gripper to maintain flexibility across various orientations. The reversible motor can quickly reposition components as needed, providing adaptive balancing without requiring complex mechanical linkages
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
This solution enables precise and efficient docking and balancing operations without the need for compressed air, reducing operational costs and maintaining flexibility across various orientations, ensuring high-quality welding without deformation of the sheets.
Implementation Method 1
a balancing actuator, itself comprising a reversible electric motor coupled to a screw-nut system
Implementation Method 2
a balancing actuator, itself comprising a reversible electric motor coupled to a screw-nut system
Implementation Method 3
with a position detector controlling the balancing actuator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The clamp comprises a balancing module (51) that provides one degree of freedom between the mounting and the mobile subassembly (3, 4, 8) that connects together the fixed (3) and mobile (8) arms and a main actuator (4), and this module (51) has a device (22, 23, 24) for moving this mobile subassembly relative to the mounting in this degree of freedom, for example in translation, the balancing system (52, 58) comprising a flexible device (22, 25, 53) which is connected to the mobile subassembly and which applies a force, in said degree of freedom, to at least one member connected to the mounting, and, in addition, at least one balancing actuator (58) for moving the mobile subassembly to a balanced position relative to the mounting. Particularly applicable to electrical resistance welding clamps.