Pivoting Holding Unit for Precise Insertion of Elongated Bent Parts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handling devices for bending elongated parts lack precision in inserting and positioning them within bending devices, leading to inaccuracies in bending processes.

Innovation Solution

A handling device with a pivoting support unit featuring rigidly connected pivoting arms, a holding unit with multiple pivot bearing points, and a contact surface extending in a strip-like fashion, allowing precise alignment and support of elongated parts through forces acting on their flat sides, and enabling controlled movement and positioning within the bending device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a handling device is used for inserting bent parts into a bending device, then the bent parts can be moved between positions, but the insertion precision is insufficient for large elongated bent parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion precisionVSAvoidhandling device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding unit is divided into multiple holding elements arranged in the longitudinal direction, with each element capable of independently grasping the bent part. This segmentation allows precise positioning at multiple locations along the elongated part while maintaining a modular structure that doesn't overly complicate the overall device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution introduces a longitudinal dimension to the holding unit, extending it along the length of the bent part. This allows the holding unit to engage the part at multiple successive locations rather than at a single point, thereby achieving precise insertion for elongated parts without requiring an overly complex multi-axis system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the holding unit grasps the bent part at several successive locations, then the alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidholding unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding unit comprises multiple holding elements arranged successively in the longitudinal direction, where each element can independently grasp the bent part. This segmentation enables precise alignment at multiple locations while keeping each individual holding element relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements are designed to act with forces in a uniform direction (perpendicular to the flat side of the bent part) rather than varying directions. This parameter change in the force application approach simplifies the mechanical structure while still achieving precise alignment through distributed contact points along the longitudinal direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the contact surface is extended in a strip-like fashion, then the support capability along the longitudinal direction is improved, but the ease of operation may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport capabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The strip-like contact surface is segmented into multiple discrete holding elements rather than being a continuous surface. This segmentation provides reliable support at multiple successive locations along the longitudinal direction while maintaining operational simplicity, as each holding element can be independently controlled and positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3013492B1Handling device and bending installation
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 REINHARDT MASCHB
  • EP3013492B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3013492B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3013492B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to create a handling device (14) for inserting parts to be bent (B) into a bending device (12) for the bending thereof about at least one bending edge (42, 44), wherein parts to be bent (B) can be inserted into the bending device (12) with as great precision as possible and bent, it is proposed that the handling device (14) has a holding unit (80) that is formed in an elongate manner in a longitudinal direction and has at least one holding element (88) by way of which the part to be bent (B) that is to be received and is arranged on a receiver surface (64) is graspable on one of its flat sides (F) by forces (KS) that act in a pulling manner on one side of the flat side (F) at a plurality of successive locations in the longitudinal direction (84), that the holding unit (80) for its part is pivotable relative to a pivoting carrier unit (112) about a first pivot axis (104) parallel to the longitudinal direction (84), that the pivoting carrier unit (112) is pivotable relative to a pivoting carrier base (116) about a second pivot axis (114) that extends parallel to the first pivot axis (104), that the pivoting carrier base (116) is movable by means of a carrier base moving unit (120) in a direction transversely to the second pivot axis (114), and that, by way of the handling device (14), the part to be bent is movable between a receiving position for the part to be bent on the receiver surface (64) and an insertion position for the part to be bent on the bending device (12).