Modular Machine Frame for Workpiece Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional workpiece positioning devices have high weight, bulkiness, and expense due to their rigid, welded construction, limiting adaptability and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A modular machine frame constructed using a building block system with interchangeable carrier and connection elements, allowing for various configurations and easy reconfiguration, reducing weight and cost through clamping sleeves that avoid warpage and enable cold assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid welded construction is used for the machine frame, then structural stability is improved, but weight increases and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The machine frame is divided into modular components (carrier elements, connection elements, clamping sleeves) that can be independently selected and assembled. This segmentation allows the frame to achieve structural stability through proper modular assembly while reducing overall weight by only including necessary components for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components are designed with standardized interfaces and multiple functions. Carrier elements can serve as both structural supports and mounting positions, while connection elements provide both mechanical connection and positioning functions. This universality reduces the total material needed compared to traditional welded frames, decreasing weight while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If a rigid welded construction is used for the machine frame, then structural integrity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame construction is segmented into pre-fabricated modular components that can be manufactured independently using standardized processes. This segmentation enables economies of scale in manufacturing individual components while reducing the complexity and cost of assembly compared to custom welded constructions, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components are designed to be replaceable and reconfigurable rather than permanent. This allows damaged or obsolete components to be individually replaced without replacing the entire frame structure, reducing long-term manufacturing and maintenance costs while maintaining structural integrity through component renewal rather than complete reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If a welded construction is used for the machine frame, then structural rigidity is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The machine frame is segmented into modular components with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation enables the frame to be reconfigured by assembling different combinations of carrier and connection elements, providing high adaptability while each individual component maintains sufficient rigidity through its optimized design and material selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame transitions from a static welded structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable modular system. Components can be added, removed, or repositioned to adapt to different workpiece positioning requirements, while the connection elements (clamping sleeves) provide rigid connections that maintain structural stability in each configured state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional workpiece positioning devices are used, then positioning functionality is provided, but device complexity and bulkiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The modular carrier and connection elements serve multiple functions: structural support, positioning reference, mounting surface, and connection interface. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed compared to conventional positioning devices, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining full positioning functionality through the coordinated arrangement of modular elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8118291B2Workpiece positioning device

Publication Date: 2012.02.21 KUKA DEUT GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a workpiece positioning device (1) comprising at least one positioning axis (35, 39) and a modular machine frame (3) on which at least one workpiece receiving element (8, 9) is arranged. At least one frame part (4, 5, 6, 7) comprises at least one frame module (15) provided, in turn, with a long carrier element (16) and at least one connection element (17, 18, 18′).