Pneumatic Friction Welding Tool for Lightweight Robot Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for friction welding and inertial plug welding are too heavy for use on a lightweight robot arm due to their hydraulic components, which are cumbersome and expensive to support.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatically driven motor unit with a flywheel and urging units that impart inertial rotational energy to a tool, allowing for friction welding and inertial plug welding on a mobile platform, utilizing a pneumatic motor and pneumatic rams to reduce weight and eliminate hydraulic fluid leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic motors and hydraulic rams are used to provide torque and pressure, then sufficient welding force and energy are achieved, but the apparatus becomes too heavy for a lightweight robot arm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic motors and rams with a pneumatic motor and pneumatic ram. The pneumatic motor rotates the flywheel to store rotational energy, and the pneumatic ram provides axial urging force to the tool. This substitution reduces apparatus weight while maintaining sufficient welding force and energy for friction welding and inertial plug welding processes.
2Power
If hydraulic systems are used, then adequate power and control are achieved, but hydraulic fluid leaks and maintenance issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes hydraulic fluid systems with a pneumatic system using compressed air. The pneumatic motor delivers adequate power for rotating the flywheel and the pneumatic ram provides reliable axial force. This eliminates hydraulic fluid leaks and associated maintenance issues, improving system reliability while maintaining necessary power levels.
3Ease of operation
If a lightweight robot arm is used as a mobile platform, then mobility and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the arm cannot support heavy hydraulic welding apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pneumatic motor and pneumatic ram system that is significantly lighter than equivalent hydraulic systems. The pneumatic motor rotates a flywheel to store rotational energy, and the pneumatic ram provides axial urging force. This weight reduction enables mounting the welding apparatus on a lightweight, affordable robot arm, improving mobility and cost-effectiveness while maintaining welding capability.
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 efficient friction welding and inertial plug welding on a lightweight robot arm by providing the necessary torque and energy without the weight and leakage issues of hydraulic systems, making the process more affordable and feasible for mobile platforms.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatically driven motor unit rotating a drive shaft substantially about a longitudinal drive axis
Implementation Method 2
The flywheel and the one shaft impart inertial rotational energy to the tool after the pneumatic motor achieves a predetermined rotational speed
Implementation Method 3
friction welding, which may be described as a class of solid-state welding processes that generate heat through mechanical friction generated by relative movement of a workpiece and a tool
Implementation Method 4
generate heat through mechanical friction generated by relative movement of a workpiece and a tool
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for bearing a tool against a workpiece includes: (a) a pneumatically driven motor unit rotating a drive shaft substantially about a longitudinal drive axis; (b) a process shaft coupled with the drive shaft for rotating the tool substantially about a longitudinal process axis; (c) a flywheel coupled with one shaft of the drive shaft and the process shaft; and (d) at least one urging unit coupled with at least one of the motor unit and the process shaft. The urging unit moves the tool with respect to the workpiece. The flywheel and the one shaft impart inertial rotational energy to the tool after the pneumatic motor achieves a predetermined rotational speed.