Pad Housing Assembly With Auto Cleaning for Particle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Particles accumulate on workstation pads during manufacturing processes, affecting the non-slip surface and requiring manual cleaning that necessitates workers to elevate on a lift, which is inefficient and risky.
Innovation Solution
A housing assembly with a movable door apparatus and integrated cleaning system that conceals the pad when not in use, preventing particle accumulation and enabling automatic cleaning without worker elevation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pad is left open to the environment, then the workstation is easily accessible and simple to operate, but particles accumulate on the pad affecting the non-slip surface
Solution Approach 1:
The door apparatus is closed before the workstation is used, preventing particle accumulation on the pad in advance. The cleaning system is activated to clean the pad before the door is opened, ensuring the non-slip surface is ready for use without contamination from manufacturing processes at other workstations.
Solution Approach 2:
The door apparatus acts as an intermediary barrier between the pad and the environment, selectively allowing access while protecting the pad from particles. The bellows provide a flexible seal that maintains this protective barrier while allowing the door to move between open and closed positions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual cleaning of the pad is performed, then particles are removed from the non-slip surface, but workers must be elevated on a lift which is inefficient and risky
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is integrated into the housing assembly and automatically cleans the pad without requiring worker intervention. The system uses a fluid applicator to apply cleaning fluid and a vacuum to remove particles, enabling the pad to clean itself rather than requiring manual cleaning by elevated workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical cleaning process involving workers on lifts is replaced with an automated fluid-based cleaning system. The fluid applicator delivers cleaning fluid to the pad surface, and the vacuum system removes particles, eliminating the need for manual labor and high-altitude work.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a housing assembly with door apparatus is used to conceal the pad, then particle accumulation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door apparatus is divided into multiple door segments that can move independently, allowing the housing assembly to provide protection while maintaining accessibility. The segmented door structure reduces the complexity of sealing and movement compared to a single large door, as each segment can be managed separately with its own bellows.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows provide a flexible sealing mechanism that accommodates the movement of the door segments while maintaining the protective barrier. This flexible film approach is simpler than rigid sealing mechanisms, as the bellows naturally expand and contract with door movement while preventing particle ingress.
4Productivity
If automatic cleaning system is integrated, then manual labor is eliminated and worker safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is merged with the housing assembly structure, integrating the fluid applicator, vacuum system, and control mechanisms into the existing housing. This consolidation reduces overall complexity compared to having separate standalone cleaning equipment, as the cleaning functions are combined with the protective housing and door apparatus.
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 effectively prevents particle accumulation and ensures efficient cleaning without manual labor involvement and worker safety.
Implementation Method 1
the door apparatus includes a first bellows attached to the first door segment and the platform, and a second bellows attached to the second door segment and the platform
Implementation Method 2
the pad has a frictional surface for maintaining a position of the part relative to the pad when the part is disposed on the frictional surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A housing assembly for selectively receiving a part includes a platform and a pad fixed to the platform. The pad has a frictional surface for maintaining a position of the part relative to the pad when the part is disposed on the frictional surface. The housing assembly includes a door apparatus coupled to the platform. The door apparatus surrounds the pad. The door apparatus is movable to an open position in which the frictional surface of the pad is exposed outside of the door apparatus for receiving the part and a closed position in which the frictional surface of the pad is concealed inside of the door apparatus. A method of removing particles from a frictional surface of a pad before performing a manufacturing process has a door apparatus disposed in a closed position to present a chamber that encloses the pad.