Gravity-Return Positioning Structure for Compact Robot Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning apparatuses for industrial robots are complex and large due to a high number of components, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A simplified positioning apparatus structure featuring an upper unit with a spherical body and retainer part, a lower unit with a guide part, and a tilting structure that utilizes gravitational force to automatically return the upper unit to a reference position, reducing the number of components and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a volute spring is used to return the table part to the centering position, then the positioning function is achieved, but the number of components increases and the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the volute spring component from the system and replaces it with a tilting structure that uses gravitational force to return the upper unit to the reference position. This extraction of the spring component directly reduces the number of parts while maintaining the positioning function through the tilted guide part mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting structure enables the upper unit to automatically return to the reference position using gravitational force without requiring additional active components like springs or motors. The system uses the weight of the upper unit itself to achieve the positioning function, making the structure self-servicing and component-free.
2Device complexity
If the number of components is reduced to simplify the structure, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the volute spring and other complex components, the patent reduces the number of parts that could fail or wear out. The simplified structure with fewer components directly improves durability while maintaining the positioning function through the robust tilting mechanism and guide part design.
3Volume of moving object
If the size of components is reduced to decrease the overall size, then the positioning apparatus becomes more compact, but the durability of components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing component sizes to achieve compactness, the patent inverts the approach by using gravitational force and a tilting structure that achieves positioning with larger, more durable components. The compactness is achieved through the efficient use of gravity and space in the tilting mechanism rather than miniaturizing parts.
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
The solution reduces the size and manufacturing cost of the positioning apparatus while enhancing its durability and maintaining precise positioning of carried objects.
Implementation Method 1
a tilting structure that tilts the region of movement relative to a horizontal plane and guides the upper unit, on which the carried object is not mounted, toward a reference position located on a lower side of a tilt
Data Source
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AI summary
This positioning device comprises: an upper unit having balls, a retainer part that retains the balls, and an upper plate part that is disposed above the retainer part and has a carried article mounted thereon; a lower unit having a lower plate part on which the upper unit is mounted, and a guide part that compartmentalizes a movement region of the upper unit on the lower plate part; and an inclining mechanism that causes a movement region to incline relative to a horizontal surface and guides the upper unit on which no carried article is mounted to a standard position positioned on the lower side of the incline.