Mobile Processing Stations with Modular Interface Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial plants, particularly those for manufacturing motor vehicles, face challenges in reconfiguration due to rigid structures and overhead systems that restrict flexibility and increase maintenance costs, as existing solutions only allow for filling vacant stations with new ones rather than removing or relocating processing stations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that uses mobile processing stations with palletisable platforms and interface units for electrical, fluidic, and mechanical coupling, enabling flexible reconfiguration and setup without the need for extensive fixed infrastructure, allowing for the addition or subtraction of stations and repositioning within the plant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If overhead structures and fixed electrical/electronic systems are used, then structural stability is improved, but reconfiguration flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidreconfiguration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The processing station is divided into modular components that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The electrical and fluidic systems are segmented into portable units that connect via interface units, allowing the station to be divided into transportable modules rather than a fixed monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static overhead installations to dynamic mobile processing stations. The electrical and fluidic connections are designed to be dynamically connectable and disconnectable through interface units, enabling the system to adapt its configuration based on production needs rather than remaining fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If overhead structures are installed, then production capacity is improved, but structural load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction capacityVSAvoidstructural load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical and fluidic systems are extracted from the fixed overhead infrastructure and integrated into portable interface units on the mobile processing station. This removes the heavy structural load from the building while maintaining full production capacity through self-contained mobile units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes from fixed overhead installation to mobile floor-based units. This parameter change in installation location and method eliminates the need for overhead structural support while preserving production capacity through the mobile nature of the processing station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If fixed processing stations are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidreconfiguration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile processing station is designed with universal interface units that can connect to various configurations of adjacent stations. The electrical and fluidic connections are standardized to work across different station arrangements, allowing the same processing equipment to maintain precision while adapting to different production layouts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If vacant stations are provided for future expansion, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexpansion capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface units are pre-configured with all necessary electrical and fluidic connections ready for immediate use. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex infrastructure modifications when expanding, as new stations can be simply connected to existing ones through the pre-prepared interface units without additional civil works.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11550302B2Method for the setup and/or the reconfiguration of an industrial plant, particularly for the manufacturing of motor vehicles or subassemblies thereof

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 FCA ITALY SPA

AI summary

Described herein is a method for setting up and/or reconfiguring an industrial plant, in particular for the manufacture of motor vehicles or sub-assemblies thereof. The method includes providing a plurality of mobile processing stations, each mobile processing station comprising a palletisable platform and at least one interface unit provided on the palletisable platform and configured for the coupling of the mobile processing station with one or more further adjacent mobile processing stations; arranging mobile processing stations according to a pre-set layout; and coupling at least one interface unit of each mobile processing station with the at least one interface unit of one or more further mobile processing adjacent stations thereto. Each interface unit includes at least one of the following: an electrical and/or electronic coupling device; a fluidic coupling device; and a mechanical coupling device.