Lifting Tank for Submersion Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional manufacturing processes involving large tanks for submerging workpieces are inefficient due to increased time to fill and drain, complex workpiece handling, and unnecessary support structures, which add downtime and space requirements.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a tank with actuators that can move perpendicular to its bottom, an index table to hold the workpiece, and a tool for performing manufacturing functions, allowing the tank to be raised or lowered to maintain a stable fluid level without changing the tank's fluid volume, thus eliminating the need for filling and draining and reducing support structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the tank size is increased to accommodate larger workpieces, then the workpiece submersion capability is improved, but the time to fill and drain the tank increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetank volumeVSAvoidfill and drain time

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of changing the fluid level by filling or draining the tank, the invention inverts the approach by moving the entire tank vertically to change the relative fluid level. This eliminates the time-consuming fill and drain operations while maintaining the ability to submerge larger workpieces in a tank of fixed volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The tank is made dynamically movable vertically through actuators, allowing it to transition between different height positions. This dynamic capability enables the tank to adapt to different workpiece sizes without requiring fill or drain operations, thus reducing cycle time while maintaining submersion capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the fluid level is changed by using pumps and reservoirs, then the workpiece submersion is achieved, but additional support structures and space requirements are added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece submersionVSAvoidsupport structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the complex support structures (pumps, reservoirs, fluid level control systems) from the system. Instead of using these components to change fluid levels, the tank itself is made movable, eliminating the need for auxiliary equipment while maintaining the ability to submerge workpieces effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the tank is designed to change fluid level during processing, then workpiece submersion is enabled, but additional equipment and manufacturing space are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid level adjustmentVSAvoidmanufacturing space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding equipment to change fluid levels horizontally or vertically through filling/draining, the invention inverts the approach by making the tank itself vertically adjustable. This achieves fluid level adaptability without requiring additional pumps, reservoirs, or associated infrastructure, thereby reducing manufacturing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10703005B2Lifting tank for manufacturing

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A system comprises a tank, a number of actuators, and an index table. The tank is configured to hold a fluid. The tank has a bottom, a number of walls, and an open top end. The number of actuators is configured to move the tank in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the tank. The index table is configured to hold a workpiece above the open top end such that movement of the tank in the direction perpendicular to the bottom of the tank moves the tank towards or away from the workpiece.