In-Holder Sealing Profile Application for Vehicle Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle part sealing processes require the part to be removed from its transport holder and repositioned for sealing profile application, leading to inefficiencies in time, space, and cost due to the need for complex and expensive holding devices.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor device with a transport holder and an integrated application station featuring a positioning robot that stabilizes the motor vehicle part within its transport holder, allowing the sealing profile to be applied without removing the part, using grippers and sensors for precise stabilization and minimizing movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the motor vehicle part is removed from the transport holder for sealing profile application, then the application robot can access the sealing surface, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires a lot of space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to sealing surfaceVSAvoidtime for removal and repositioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The application station is integrated directly into the conveyor device, allowing the sealing profile application to be performed while the motor vehicle part remains in its transport holder. This merging of the application station with the conveyor system eliminates the need for separate removal and repositioning operations, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and time consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A holding device with positioning robots acts as an intermediary between the transport holder and the application robot. The positioning robots stabilize the motor vehicle part within the transport holder during application, enabling the application robot to access the sealing surface without requiring the part to be removed from the conveyor system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If a holding frame with multiple holding claws is used to immobilize the motor vehicle part, then precise application is achieved, but the device becomes complicated and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of sealing profile applicationVSAvoidcomplexity of holding device
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex mechanical holding frame with multiple holding claws is replaced by positioning robots that use sensors to detect and stabilize the motor vehicle part. This substitution of the mechanical holding system with a robot-based positioning system reduces device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision through active control and feedback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the transport holder is made very solid to keep the motor vehicle part immobile, then application precision is maintained, but material expenditure and expense increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmobility of motor vehicle partVSAvoidmaterial expenditure for transport holder
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The need for an overly solid and material-intensive transport holder is eliminated by introducing positioning robots that actively stabilize the motor vehicle part during application. The robots provide the necessary stabilization forces without requiring the transport holder itself to be excessively robust, thereby reducing material expenditure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the motor vehicle part is removed and repositioned for sealing application, then the sealing surface is accessible, but the entire device requires a lot of space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to sealing surfaceVSAvoidspace required for door movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The application station is merged with the conveyor device into a single integrated unit. The conveyor device is designed with the application station positioned along its transport path, allowing sealing profile application to occur in-place without requiring additional space for part removal and repositioning operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4221933B1Arrangement for applying a sealing profile
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 AYTEC AUTOMATION
  • EP4221933B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4221933B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for applying a sealing profile to a motor vehicle part (24). The arrangement comprises a conveyor device (20) which has at least one transport holder (22), which is movable along a transport section of the conveyor device (20), for holding the motor vehicle part (24) in the conveyor device (20). The transport section leads past an application station (12) with an application robot (40) and a holding apparatus (16a, 16b), the transport holder (22) entering the region of action of the application station (12). The application robot (40) has a movable robot arm (28) and an application head (30) for applying the sealing profile on the motor vehicle part (24). The holding apparatus (16a, 16b) comprises a positioning robot (16a, 16b) for stabilizing the motor vehicle part (24) in its transport holder (22) during the application.