Modular Sealing Profile Application with Integrated Drilling and Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing application devices for sealing profiles are inefficient in terms of time and space, requiring multiple stations and processes, and are not cost-effective in meeting diverse requirements.

Innovation Solution

A modular application device with a rolling head and interchangeable functional units, including a drilling unit, cleaning unit, and sensor units, which can be arranged on a base body with predetermined positions to perform various station steps, allowing for flexible configuration and integration of functions like drilling, cleaning, and sealing profile application in a single production station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate production stations are used for drilling, cleaning, and sealing profile application, then each function can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the total space requirement and cycle time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines drilling unit, cleaning unit, and sealing profile application unit into a single integrated application device that processes the sealing profile sequentially at one production station, eliminating the need for multiple separate stations and reducing overall space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The application device is designed as a multi-functional system where a single device performs multiple operations (drilling holes, cleaning surfaces, applying sealing profiles) that previously required separate dedicated equipment, thereby reducing the total number of production stations needed

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

2Reliability

If multiple separate production stations are used for drilling, cleaning, and sealing profile application, then each function can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the total cycle time increases due to sequential processing at separate stations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The application device enables continuous processing where the sealing profile undergoes drilling, cleaning, and application in an uninterrupted sequential flow at a single production station, eliminating transfer times and idle periods between separate stations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

By integrating multiple processing functions into one device, the patent eliminates the time losses associated with transporting the sealing profile between separate production stations and enables continuous processing without interruption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple separate production stations are used, then each station can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall production flexibility and cost-effectiveness decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidproduction flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The application device is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple different functions (drilling, cleaning, application) within a single device, allowing flexible configuration and adaptation to different production requirements without needing separate dedicated stations for each function

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

Data Source

PatentEP4302920A1Modular application device and modular construction kit for constructing an application device
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 THYSSENKRUPP AUTOMOTIVE BODY SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP4302920A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4302920A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP4302920A1 patent drawingFigure 4b~5b

AI summary

The present invention relates to an application device (1) for applying a sealing profile (200) to a body component, comprising a rolling head (2) designed for applying the sealing profile (200) to a receiving surface of the body component, and at least one further functional unit (15) for carrying out a further station step, wherein the at least one further functional unit (15) is each designed as a functional module from a set of functional modules.The application device (1) comprises a base body (10), the base body (10) having the rolling head (2) and a plurality of predetermined arrangement positions (1131, 1132, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119), wherein a specific arrangement position from the plurality of predetermined arrangement positions (1131, 1132, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119) is each assigned a functional module from the set of functional modules for arrangement on the base body (10), and each functional module of the application device (1) is arranged at the arrangement position assigned to the respective functional module. Furthermore, the invention relates to a modular system for constructing an application device (1).