Modular Partition Layout for Flexible Processing Cell Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processing systems face challenges in adapting to irregularly disposed existing objects in factories, leading to interference issues and increased costs and installation time due to the need for partial changes in device components and safety fences.

Innovation Solution

A processing device with a partition member and uniform mounting sections that allows for flexible layout adjustments, enabling the selective mounting of opening/closing members and instrument attachment members to accommodate surrounding environments, reducing the need for significant changes and simplifying installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the processing device is designed with fixed components and regular arrangement, then manufacturing and control are simplified, but the device cannot adapt to irregularly disposed existing objects in the factory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to existing objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The processing device is divided into multiple independent components including a robot unit, a workpiece moving mechanism, and a safety fence, each of which can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows each component to be separately adjusted to accommodate irregular factory layouts without requiring redesign of the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The safety fence is designed with movable sections that can be dynamically repositioned along the periphery of the processing device. This dynamic configuration enables the safety fence to adapt to irregularly disposed existing objects while maintaining protective functionality, resolving the contradiction between fixed design simplicity and adaptive layout requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the safety fence and components are customized to fit irregular factory layouts, then adaptability to existing objects is improved, but manufacturing costs and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The safety fence is pre-assembled with multiple movable sections that can be quickly reconfigured during installation. This preliminary preparation of modular components allows for rapid adaptation to different factory layouts without requiring time-consuming custom manufacturing or complex assembly procedures on-site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The safety fence design incorporates adjustable parameters such as section length and positioning locations that can be modified to match irregular layouts. By changing these parameters rather than redesigning the entire fence, the system achieves layout flexibility while maintaining efficient installation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the processing device components are made common and standardized, then system simplification and control standardization are achieved, but the device cannot accommodate irregular existing objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidaccommodation of existing objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece moving mechanism is designed with universal functionality to handle both workpieces loaded from outside the safety fence and workpieces supplied from within the processing device. This multi-functional design allows the same standardized component to adapt to different operational configurations without increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3492220B1Work device, and work system
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 HIRATA CORPORATION
  • EP3492220B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3492220B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3492220B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A processing device of the invention includes a partition member partitioning a processing space and an external space, a frame body on which the partition member is mounted, a positioning unit for holding a workpiece at a predetermined position in the processing space, a processing unit for applying a predetermined process using a processing tool on the workpiece, an opening/closing member capable of opening/closing a first opening formed in the partition member, and an instrument attachment member to which a control instrument is attached, wherein the partition member has a plurality of uniform mounting sections on which the opening/closing member and the instrument attachment member are mutually selectively mounted.