Movable Protective Shield for Robot Travel Rail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective shield devices for travel rails in painting systems, such as those used in motor vehicle body painting, are inefficient as they require frequent manual cleaning and can only be cleaned during standstill, leading to increased costs and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A movable protective shield device that can be directly mounted on the travel rail or attached to the robot, utilizing temporary drive contacts and buffering elements to prevent paint overspray and adhesion, with an optional lubricant dispensing unit to reduce friction and adhesion risks, allowing for continuous operation without the need for frequent cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective shield device is mounted on the travel rail to prevent paint overspray, then the rail is protected from contamination, but the device requires frequent manual cleaning and can only be cleaned during standstill
Solution Approach 1:
The protective shield device is made movable along the travel rail instead of being stationary. It can be dynamically positioned to follow the robot's movement, allowing continuous operation without requiring the robot to stop for cleaning. The device transitions from a static barrier to a dynamic protective element that adapts to the painting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective shield device is equipped with a self-cleaning mechanism that automatically removes paint accumulation during operation. This eliminates the need for manual cleaning during standstill and allows the device to maintain its protective function continuously without interrupting the painting process.
2Reliability
If bellows are used to cover lifting stand guide rails, then protection is provided, but the bellows are very ponderous and complex to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy bellows with a thin film protective shield that can be moved along the travel rail. This thin film structure provides adequate protection against paint overspray while being much lighter and simpler to maintain compared to traditional bellows.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential protective function from the complex bellows structure and implements it through a simplified movable shield with self-cleaning capability, eliminating the weight and cleaning complexity issues associated with traditional bellows.
3Productivity
If the protective shield device is made movable along the travel rail, then continuous operation is enabled, but the device requires drive contacts with the robot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses buffering elements as intermediaries between the robot and the protective shield device. These buffers enable temporary drive contacts that allow the robot to move the shield along the rail without requiring complex permanent drive mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism is made dynamic through temporary contacts rather than permanent mechanical connections. The buffering elements allow the shield to be moved when needed and return to a neutral position, creating a simple yet effective drive system that enables continuous operation.
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 solution significantly reduces the need for manual cleaning of travel rails, enabling continuous operation of robots and painting systems by effectively shielding the rail from paint overspray and adhesion, thus minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optional lubricant dispensing unit to reduce friction and adhesion risks
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a protective shield device (1.1, 1.2), preferably a displaceable protective shield device (1.1, 1.2), for a displacement rail (10) along which at least one robot (R) having an application element (A) can be displaced. The protective shield device (1.1, 1.2) comprises at least one protective shield (2.1, 2.2) for protecting the displacement rail (10) from the application medium dispensed by the application element (A). The invention also comprises a robot (R) and a displacement rail (10) having at least one protective shield device (1.1, 1.2) according to the invention.