Expanding Locating Pin with Radial Jaw Actuation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing part locating fixtures are inflexible and require multiple fixtures for various part sizes and shapes, limiting their effectiveness in manufacturing and assembly operations.
Innovation Solution
An expanding locating pin assembly with a housing, radial jaw guides, and an actuating mechanism, controlled by a controller, which synchronously moves jaws to apply a holding force to parts with varying hole sizes and shapes, allowing for precise location and secure holding without clamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed pins and clamps are used for different part sizes and shapes, then the ability to locate various parts is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locating pin assembly is designed to perform multiple functions - locating and holding parts of various sizes and shapes using a single device. The expandable jaws can adjust their diameter and configuration to accommodate different part geometries, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated fixtures for different part types
Solution Approach 2:
The locating pin incorporates dynamically adjustable elements - the jaws can expand and contract radially to change the pin's outer diameter and jaw configuration. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same fixture to adapt to different part sizes and shapes, providing versatility without requiring multiple static fixtures
2Device complexity
If fixed pins are used for locating parts, then the结构简单性 is improved, but the adaptability to different part configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locating pin is segmented into multiple independent jaws that can move radially within their respective guides. Each jaw can be positioned independently to contact different parts of the part being located, allowing the simple pin structure to adapt to various hole sizes and shapes through coordinated jaw movement
Solution Approach 2:
The jaws are nested within the pin body and can expand outward when needed. The radial jaw guides provide a compact housing that contains the movable jaws, allowing the locating pin to maintain a simple overall structure while incorporating complex adaptive functionality through the nested, expandable jaw mechanism
3Force
If clamps are used to hold parts in place, then the holding force is improved, but the part may be damaged or deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The holding force is applied locally at multiple points around the part's locating hole through the jaws, rather than concentrating force at a single clamp contact point. This distributed local contact provides sufficient holding force while reducing the risk of localized damage or deformation to the part
Data Source
AI summary
An expanding locating pin assembly configured to locate and hold a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws connected to and radially movable in the radial jaw guides and extending past the part rest face. The actuating mechanism synchronously moves the jaws to a radial position and applies a holding force to the part. The controller controls the radial position and the holding force of the jaws. The part rest face of the housing and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position. The jaws of the locating pin are configured to hold the part in the located position via the holding force and a friction force resulting from the holding force.