Interchangeable Support Rods for Multi-Shape Part Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport facilities are not adaptable to components with different forms, requiring manual replacement of stems or transport bars, which is time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

A transport installation with interchangeable TJK rods and TRJK replacement rods within a DS support device, allowing for vertical positioning control by a DC control device, enabling adaptation to components of varying shapes without electrification of the transport bars.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual replacement of rods or transport bars is used to adapt to different component shapes, then adaptability is improved, but production time increases significantly and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different component shapesVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The rod assembly is made dynamically interchangeable through a quick-release mechanism. The assembly unit can be rapidly detached and replaced on the transport bar without manual disassembly of individual rods, transforming the system from static to dynamically adaptable while maintaining high production speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rod system is segmented into modular assemblies where each assembly consists of multiple rods that function together as a single replaceable unit. This segmentation allows the entire assembly to be changed quickly rather than replacing each rod individually, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual replacement of transport bars is used to adapt to different component shapes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different component shapesVSAvoidcomplexity of transport bar replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple rods are merged into a single integrated assembly unit that is fixed to the transport bar as one piece. This merging simplifies the replacement operation from complex multi-step manual rod replacement to a single assembly swap, reducing both device complexity and operation time while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-height rods are used on transport bars, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different component shapes is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different component shapesVSAvoidsimplicity of transport bar structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transport bar is designed with a universal mounting interface that can accommodate different rod assemblies with varying heights and configurations. This multi-functionality allows the same transport bar structure to serve multiple component shapes by simply changing the rod assembly, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4194374B1Installation for transporting parts of different shapes, with interchangeable support rods
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4194374B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4194374B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4194374B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A transport system (TS) comprises two parallel transport bars (BTj), which can be transposed vertically and longitudinally simultaneously. Each busbar includes at least one group of at least two rods (Tj3) designed, in a vertical position, to temporarily support, along with rods from an adjacent group, a first component. At least one rod (Tj3) in each group has a first length suitable for supporting a first component and is interchangeable with an associated replacement rod (TRj3) having a second length greater than this first length and suitable for supporting a second component (C2). Furthermore, the transport system (TS) includes a control device acting on the associated rods (Tj3) and replacement rods (TRj3) in each group to position the rod intended to support a component vertically.