Nutrunner Socket Exchange Assembly with Cam-Driven Jaw Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for automatically exchanging change tool assemblies and sockets in nutrunners are inefficient, requiring supplemental manipulation and additional input forces, which hinders quick and efficient accommodation of different sized nuts or bolts.
Innovation Solution
A tool exchange assembly with a nest and jaw portions that utilize a cam follower, ramp surfaces, and low friction inserts to facilitate the movement of change tool assemblies between locked and unlocked positions, allowing for quick exchange without additional forces, using existing machine motions like robot or gantry movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing automatic exchange systems are used, then socket exchange can be performed automatically, but the process requires supplemental manipulation and additional input forces, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the nutrunner's own movement and existing machine motions to drive the socket exchange process, eliminating the need for supplemental manipulation and additional input forces. The change tool assembly and socket exchange themselves, rather than requiring external actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool exchange assembly is designed to work with standard nutrunner movements and existing machine motions, making the system universally applicable without requiring specialized additional actuators or complex control systems.
2Ease of operation
If supplemental manipulation and additional input forces are applied, then socket exchange can be achieved, but the process becomes more complex and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for supplemental manipulation mechanisms and additional input force systems from the socket exchange process, simplifying the overall system while maintaining automatic exchange capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the socket exchange function with the existing nutrunner movement and machine motions, combining multiple functions into a single integrated process that reduces overall system complexity.
3Speed
If quick exchange of change tool assemblies is desired, then exchange speed must be increased, but this requires eliminating the need for supplemental manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed so that the nutrunner's movement and existing machine motions are already positioned and configured to drive the socket exchange process, eliminating the need for supplemental manipulation and enabling quick exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The exchange mechanism uses the nutrunner's own movement to drive the exchange process, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional operation steps or supplemental manipulation.
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
Enables rapid and efficient swapping of change tool assemblies and sockets, reducing the need for supplemental manipulation and input forces, thereby improving the efficiency of nutrunner operations in assembly lines.
Implementation Method 1
A cam follower is fixed to the upper jaw assembly and is configured to ride along the cam causing the upper and lower jaw assemblies to move toward and away from each other
Implementation Method 2
The first and second inserts are formed of low friction material
Implementation Method 3
One of the lower and upper jaw portions includes a ramp surface. Slidable advancement of a change tool assembly along the ramp surface urges the sleeve on the change tool assembly to move between the locked position and an unlocked position
Data Source
AI summary
A tool exchange assembly and related method configured to swap change tool assemblies with a nutrunner constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a nest. The nest has a lower jaw portion and an upper jaw portion. The lower jaw portion has first and second lower fingers that cooperate to define a lower slot. The upper jaw portion has first and second upper fingers that cooperate to define an upper slot. The nest is configured to receive a change tool assembly. Relative movement of the change tool assembly and the nest urges a sleeve on the change tool assembly to move between a locked position and an unlocked position.