Workpiece Holder Mounting Linkage for Backlash-Free Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece conveying apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-speed conveyance due to backlash and positional inaccuracies in the mounting and dismounting mechanisms, which hinder reliable attachment and detachment of workpiece holding devices, especially when conveying workpieces of varying shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A mounting and dismounting support mechanism that utilizes a movable member with a linear drive mechanism, coupled with turnable coupling members and a locking portion, ensures precise engagement and disengagement of the workpiece holding device with the conveying apparatus, preventing free movement and ensuring stable positioning through the use of elastic or magnetic elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an engagement lever is inserted into and engaged with an annular groove for mounting and dismounting, then the workpiece holding device can be removed, but backlash causes the attachment to freely move in the axial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical engagement lever and annular groove system with a positioning male element and positioning female element system. This substitution eliminates backlash by using precise geometric fitting between complementary positioning features, where the male element inserts into the female element to define a unique positional relationship without clearance or play.
2Ease of manufacture
If the annular groove is positioned to engage with the engagement lever, then mounting is possible, but wear of abutment portions changes the positional relationship over time
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning male element and positioning female element are pre-configured with precise geometric dimensions and tolerances during manufacturing. This preliminary precision setting ensures that when the workpiece holding device is mounted, the positioning features automatically establish the correct positional relationship without requiring adjustment, and this relationship remains stable even after repeated mounting/dismounting cycles.
3Reliability
If a rope or similar device is used to fix the attachment to suppress backlash, then positional stability improves, but operational complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for external fixing devices like ropes by integrating the backlash suppression function directly into the positioning male element and positioning female element system. The geometric fitting between these elements inherently prevents axial movement and backlash, removing the need for separate fixing mechanisms and their associated complexity.
4Extent of automation
If the engagement lever and annular groove system is used for automatic replacement, then automation is possible, but positional deviations make proper engagement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning male element and positioning female element feature asymmetric geometric shapes that are complementary to each other. This asymmetric design ensures that only one specific orientation and position allows proper engagement, providing built-in alignment guidance that makes automatic replacement reliable even when minor positional deviations occur during approach.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention includes a link mechanism (L) including a movable member (112), a first coupling shaft (112A), a first coupling member (115), a second coupling shaft (116A), a second coupling member (116), and a third coupling shaft (116C). When the movable member (112) moves to a predetermined engagement position, a straight line (S1) connecting the first coupling shaft (112A) and the second coupling shaft (116A) to each other in a plane orthogonal the first coupling shaft (112A) and the second coupling shaft (116A) and a straight line (S2) connecting the second coupling shaft (116A) and the third coupling shaft (116C) to each other in a plane orthogonal the second coupling shaft (116A) and the third coupling shaft (116C) are orthogonal to each other.