Panel Holding Device Using Pin and Contact Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional panel retaining devices in vehicle manufacturing facilities use multiple sensors to detect and hold panel orientations, increasing costs and complicating control methods.
Innovation Solution
A panel holding device that uses a detection device to locate a panel's hole portion, a pin member to insert into the hole, and contact members to temporarily retain and hold the panel using reaction forces, eliminating the need for multiple sensors by dividing the panel into portions and using a combination of contact members to maintain orientation and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple distance sensors are used to detect panel orientation, then the panel can be held at appropriate position and orientation, but the cost of the facility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the detection function from multiple distance sensors and concentrates it into a single detection device that detects the hole portion position. By detecting the hole portion (which is positioned at a known location on the panel), the system can infer panel orientation without requiring multiple sensors across the panel surface, thus reducing facility cost while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The hole portion in the panel serves as an intermediary marker for orientation detection. Instead of directly detecting panel orientation through multiple sensors, the system detects the position of the hole portion (a specific feature on the panel) and uses this information as a reference to determine panel orientation and control the holding device accordingly.
2Measurement precision
If multiple distance sensors are used to detect panel orientation, then the panel can be held at appropriate position and orientation, but the control method becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention simplifies the control method by extracting the detection function to a single detection device that targets a specific feature (hole portion). This reduces the complexity of control algorithms compared to processing data from multiple distance sensors, as the system only needs to track the position of one feature point to infer overall panel orientation and adjust holding accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The hole portion acts as a simplified intermediary reference point that makes control easier. By focusing control actions on maintaining proper relationship with this single feature point, the control method becomes more straightforward compared to coordinating multiple sensors and processing complex spatial relationships across the entire panel surface.
3Device complexity
If the panel is held using only a pin member inserted into the hole portion, then the structure is simple, but the panel may fall off or rotate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the holding function into multiple independent components: a pin member for vertical positioning through the hole portion, contact members for preventing rotation and providing lateral support, and a holding device for securing the panel. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply while collectively providing reliable retention without requiring a complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple simple holding mechanisms (pin insertion, contact member support, and holding device engagement) into a coordinated system. Each mechanism is simple in structure, but their combination provides comprehensive retention that prevents falling off and rotation, achieving high reliability without complex individual components.
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 holding panels at appropriate positions and orientations without multiple sensors, reducing complexity and cost, while preventing panel rotation and deviation, and allowing for firm holding without significant position or orientation changes.
Implementation Method 1
a sucking device supported by the frame member in a vicinity of the first contact member and configured to suck the first panel portion
Data Source
AI summary
A panel conveyance system includes a pin member, a bar pad facing a panel right lower portion, a block pad facing a panel left lower portion, a bar guide positioned outside an outer edge end of the panel left lower portion, and a conveyance robot. The panel conveyance system further includes a panel take-out control unit that hangs a panel on a pin member, and a temporary retention control unit that causes the bar pad to come into contact with a surface of the panel right lower portion, causes the block pad to come into contact with a surface of the panel left lower portion, and causes the bar guide to come into contact with the panel left lower portion to temporarily retain the panel while keeping the panel hung on the pin member, and a holding control unit that holds the temporarily retained panel with a clamp.