Machining Unit Support Structure for Confined Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional support structures for processing devices require a large amount of free space due to their pivoting and shifting movements, making them unsuitable for use in confined spaces such as shipyards between the ship's hull and dock walls.
Innovation Solution
A support structure featuring a rotary device with a pivoting guide arm and a slidably mounted quill tube, allowing the processing device to operate over a large range of action without requiring extensive free space, utilizing a drum-like frame structure with circular guide tracks and linear guides for precise movement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional support structures with traversing and pivoting movements are used, then the processing device can cover a large working area, but a large amount of free space is required which makes them unsuitable for confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple independent rotational segments: a turntable for horizontal rotation, a pivoting device for angular movement, and a quill tube for linear extension. Each segment contributes to the overall range of motion without requiring large intermediate spaces, allowing the processing device to reach distant positions through coordinated small movements of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The quill tube is nested within the guide arm, allowing linear extension of the processing device without increasing the footprint of the support structure. This nested configuration enables the processing device to extend beyond the guide arm's endpoint while maintaining a compact overall structure suitable for confined spaces.
2Ease of operation
If the processing device is mounted on a caterpillar vehicle for mobility, then it can be transported to different locations, but the vehicle's size and weight increase the space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure uses segmented rotational mechanisms (turntable, pivoting device) that enable compact movement and positioning without requiring a large mobile platform. Each segment can be independently controlled to achieve precise positioning in confined areas, reducing the need for a large vehicle-based mobile platform.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~4(b)
AI summary
A supporting structure for a machining unit has a traverse device (2) on which a turning device (4) rotatable about a rotation axis (Y) is mounted. Arranged on the turning device (4) is a swivelling device (6) having a guide arm (34) which has a first end (36) and a second end (37) and can be swivelled about a swivel axis (S) running transversely to the rotation axis (Y) and located in the region of its first end (36). A sleeve tube (8) is mounted in extension of the guide arm (34) in such a way as to be displaceable beyond its second end (37).