Modular Vehicle Panel Clamping Apparatus with Movable Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clamping apparatuses for vehicle panels are inefficient as they require individual setups for different vehicle models, leading to increased costs and complexity due to varying panel sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A modular clamping apparatus with movable units and vertically-movable means, utilizing sliding plates, ball screws, and drive motors, along with clamping units and supporting pads, allows for adaptable clamping of panels with different dimensions and surface curvatures, enabling the use of a single apparatus for various vehicle models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individual clamping apparatus are used for different vehicle models, then clamping precision for specific panel shapes is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping apparatus is designed with multiple movable clamping units that can be positioned and adjusted to accommodate different panel sizes and shapes. The base frame supports multiple independently controllable clamping units, allowing a single apparatus to perform multiple clamping functions for various vehicle models without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each model.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping apparatus employs movable clamping units with adjustable positions along the base frame, enabling dynamic reconfiguration for different panel geometries. The clamping units can move horizontally and vertically to adapt to various panel locations and orientations, providing precise clamping force where needed while maintaining versatility across different vehicle models.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual clamping apparatus are used for different vehicle models, then clamping precision for specific panel shapes is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping apparatus is designed with multiple movable clamping units that can be positioned and adjusted to accommodate different panel sizes and shapes. The base frame supports multiple independently controllable clamping units, allowing a single apparatus to perform multiple clamping functions for various vehicle models without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each model.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping apparatus is divided into modular clamping units that can be independently controlled and positioned. Each clamping unit operates as a separate module on the base frame, allowing selective activation and positioning for different panel requirements, thereby reducing the need for multiple complete apparatus sets for different vehicle models.
3Device complexity
If conventional clamping apparatus are used, then simple structure is maintained, but adaptability to different panel dimensions and curvatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping apparatus employs movable clamping units with adjustable positions along the base frame, enabling dynamic reconfiguration for different panel geometries. The clamping units can move horizontally and vertically to adapt to various panel locations and orientations, providing precise clamping force where needed while maintaining versatility across different vehicle models.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping apparatus allows adjustment of clamping force, position, and orientation parameters to match different panel characteristics. The vertically-movable means enable adjustment of clamping depth and angle to accommodate panels with varying curvatures and surface geometries, maintaining effective clamping across diverse panel types without requiring fundamentally different apparatus designs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively clamps panels of diverse sizes and shapes, reducing initial investment and complexity, while ensuring stable and damage-free clamping, even for panels with slanted or curved surfaces, thereby simplifying the vehicle manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a first drive motor mounted on the base frame at a side of the first rail housing and having a rotational shaft connected to a first ball screw
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus for clamping a panel comprising: a base frame; first movable units mounted on left and right portions of the base frame and adapted to reciprocate first sliding plates between the left and right; second movable units mounted on front and rear portions of the base frame between the first movable units and adapted to reciprocate second sliding plates between the front and rear; first clamping units movable between the left and right through the first sliding plates, and movable upward and downward through first vertically-movable means; a second clamping unit movable between the front and rear through the second sliding plate and movable upward and downward through second vertically-movable means; and a third clamping unit movable between the front and rear through the second sliding plate and movable upward and downward through third vertically-movable means.