Optical Sensor Hook Position Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for securing and positioning vehicle bodies on pallets in assembly lines are complex, requiring additional components and often lack a positive indication of hook engagement, leading to misalignment and increased personnel or equipment costs for inspection.
Innovation Solution
A direct sensing device using optical sensors and reflective indicators provides a visual confirmation of the hook's position, ensuring secure engagement or disengagement of the vehicle body to the pallet, with a redundant system for enhanced reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex hydraulic or pneumatic mechanisms are used to secure the vehicle body to the pallet, then the body can be reliably secured, but the device complexity increases and additional components must be moved along the assembly line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensing function from complex hydraulic/pneumatic mechanisms and implements it through simple optical sensors and reflective indicators. The securing mechanism itself is simplified to basic hooks that engage with the body, while the verification function is separated into a distinct optical sensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical hydraulic or pneumatic securing mechanisms with simpler mechanical hooks combined with optical sensing. The optical sensors detect the position of reflective indicators to verify engagement, substituting mechanical complexity with optical verification.
2Measurement precision
If visual inspection is used to verify hook engagement, then engagement status can be confirmed, but additional personnel or expensive vision equipment is required and inspection of the area underneath the vehicle body is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the hook mechanism itself as part of the sensing system. The reflective indicator is attached to the hook, so the hook's position automatically indicates its engagement status. The system verifies its own state through the optical sensor detecting the indicator position, eliminating the need for separate inspection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflective indicator as an intermediary element that mediates between the hook position and the optical sensor. The indicator reflects light back to the sensor, providing a clear optical signal about hook engagement without requiring direct visual inspection of the difficult-to-reach area.
3Device complexity
If remote locking devices are used to secure the body, then the system can operate without complex mechanisms on the pallet, but a positive indication of hook position is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reflective indicators that change their optical properties based on position. When the hook is engaged, the indicator is in a specific position that reflects light differently than when disengaged, providing a clear visual signal to the optical sensor about the hook state without adding mechanical complexity.
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 ensures accurate and reliable positioning of vehicle bodies on pallets, reducing the need for complex mechanisms and visual inspections, thereby improving efficiency and reducing errors in the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
An optical sensor stationarily positioned at the station where the hook is actuated projects an optical beam at a target position on the aligned riser toward the reflective indicator. If the beam is reflected back toward the optical sensor, a positive signal is received by the sensor that the hook is in a particular position
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a sensing device for use in providing positive feedback of the position of a vehicle body securing device used to selectively secure a vehicle body to a vehicle body support moveable along a path of travel. A vehicle body securing device is selectively moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. An indicator is connected to the securing device and is reciprocally movable to and from a target area when the securing device is in one of the locked position and the unlocked position. A sensor has a field of view selectively alignable with the target area. The sensor is operable to detect when the indicator is positioned at the target area to provide a positive indication of the position of the securing device.