Modular Levelling Bench Fixture Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle repair systems are hindered by the high cost and bulkiness of exchangeable heads, which are often not fully stocked in repair shops and require frequent rental and transportation, making the process inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A levelling bench arrangement with modular fixture devices consisting of a column, adapter, and head, where each component is releasably mountable to allow for versatile positioning and height adjustment, reducing the need for bulky and heavy heads by dividing them into three pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If exchangeable heads are made as single bulky units to ensure structural integrity and positioning accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but weight and volume increase making transportation costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture device is divided into three separate components: column, adapter, and head. Each component can be independently mounted and positioned, allowing the head to be lightweight while maintaining positioning accuracy through precise mounting interfaces and alignment features between the segmented parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complete set of heads for all vehicle models is stocked in repair shops, then adaptability to different vehicle models is improved, but storage space requirements and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The column and adapter components are designed as universal parts that can be used with all vehicle models. Only the heads are model-specific, and since heads are lightweight and inexpensive, shops can rent them as needed rather than stocking complete sets, reducing storage requirements while maintaining versatility.
3Ease of manufacture
If heads are rented and transported frequently to different repair shops, then cost efficiency is improved by avoiding complete stock, but transportation time and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fixture device into column, adapter, and head components, the heads become lightweight and easy to transport. This allows repair shops to rent only the necessary heads rather than transporting entire bulky head sets, significantly reducing transportation time and improving operational efficiency while maintaining cost efficiency.
4Reliability
If heads are made bulky and heavy to ensure structural stability, then reliability of positioning is improved, but ease of operation and transportation efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into column, adapter, and head components allows the head to be lightweight and easy to handle while the column and adapter provide the necessary structural stability. The modular design with precise mounting interfaces ensures reliable positioning despite the reduced weight of individual components.
Data Source
AI summary
A levelling bench arrangement comprises a levelling bench (1), a structure (3, 5) releasably fastenable to the levelling bench, and a plurality of fixture devices (7) releasably mountable at the structure, where the fixture devices define certain specific reference points of a vehicle, which is to be repaired or inspected. Each of the fixture devices comprises a column (21) releasably mountable at a structure, an adapter (24) releasably mountable at the column, and a head (27) releasably mountable at the adapter.