Gearless Drive for Pallet Changer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pallet changer systems require complex power transmission mechanisms due to the distance between the motor and drive screw, leading to increased costs, maintenance needs, and production downtime.
Innovation Solution
A direct drive system is implemented by aligning the driver and driven shafts, eliminating the need for gear systems and power transmission devices, allowing for a gearless or gear-free power transfer between the shafts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor is positioned at a distance from the drive screw, then the motor can be installed in a convenient location, but power transmission elements (gears, pulleys, belts) are required which increase device complexity and maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The motor and drive screw are merged into a single integrated assembly where the motor shaft is directly coupled to the drive screw, eliminating the need for separate power transmission elements. This direct coupling merges two previously separate components (motor and drive mechanism) into one unified unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining installation flexibility.
2Duration of action of moving object
If power transmission elements (gears, pulleys, belts) are used to transfer power from motor to drive screw, then the motor can be positioned away from the drive screw, but maintenance costs and production downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission elements (gears, pulleys, belts) are extracted and removed from the system entirely. By eliminating these intermediate components, the design achieves a direct drive configuration where the motor shaft connects directly to the drive screw, thereby eliminating maintenance requirements associated with power transmission elements while preserving motor positioning flexibility through the integrated design.
3Length of stationary object
If a complex drive system with gears and power transmission devices is used, then the motor can be positioned at a distance from the drive screw, but initial equipment costs and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor and drive screw are merged into a single integrated assembly, eliminating the need for separate power transmission components. This merging reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and inventoried, thereby reducing initial equipment costs while allowing the motor to be positioned at an optimal location relative to the drive screw.
4Length of moving object
If power transmission elements are used between motor and drive screw, then the system can accommodate distance between components, but production downtime increases due to maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
The power transmission elements are extracted and removed from the system, eliminating the maintenance requirements that cause production downtime. The direct coupling of the motor shaft to the drive screw creates a maintenance-free power transmission path, ensuring continuous operation and maximizing productivity while still accommodating the necessary distance between motor and drive screw through the integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic machining system having one or more pallets each mounted with respect to a moveable bed, for transporting one or more workpieces to and/or from an automated machine tool, for machining each workpiece. According to this invention, a driver shaft and a driven shaft can be longitudinally aligned with respect to each other, so that there is no need for a gear system and/or a transmission device, for transferring power from a driver shaft to the driven shaft.