Rail Support Positioning with Single-Servo Multi-Carriage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for positioning supports on a rail and table require multiple servomotors and complex control systems, making it difficult to increase the number of supports and render them versatile for applications like assembling roof trusses.
Innovation Solution
A device that allows multiple pucks to be moved by a single drive chain, with absolute encoders and pneumatic lock units, enabling a single servomotor to control all drive chains and position multiple pucks on a jig table, which can be used for various operations like rotating, flipping, and assembling roof trusses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple servomotors are used to control each screw individually, then positioning precision is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple drive chains are merged into a single integrated carriage structure that is controlled by one servomotor. The carriage contains multiple carriages (4-7) that can independently position pucks along the rail, while being driven by a common drive chain (15) and single servomotor (39), thereby reducing the number of motors from multiple individual units to one shared unit.
Solution Approach 2:
A single servomotor serves multiple functions by controlling the position of multiple pucks through the common drive chain and carriage system. The absolute encoder (28) provides universal position feedback for the entire carriage assembly, enabling one motor to perform what would traditionally require multiple motors, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of supports is increased to handle complex assemblies like roof trusses, then versatility improves, but the number of required servomotors and control systems increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is segmented into multiple independent carriages (4-7) within a single integrated drive unit. Each carriage can independently hold and position a puck, allowing the system to support multiple work positions simultaneously. This segmentation enables increased versatility for complex assemblies like roof trusses without requiring proportional increases in motor count, as all carriages share a common drive chain and control system.
3Device complexity
If a single drive chain controls multiple pucks, then hardware complexity is reduced, but positioning accuracy for each individual puck may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
An absolute encoder (28) is integrated into the carriage system to provide precise position feedback for the entire carriage assembly. The encoder maintains accurate position information even when the system is powered down, enabling each carriage to know its exact location along the rail. This feedback mechanism ensures that despite using a single shared drive chain, each individual puck can be positioned with high accuracy through electronic control and feedback correction.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a device for the positioning of a number of supports (8) on a rail (25), the support (8) being mounted on a carriage (4-7) for the movement of the support (8) to desired position on the rail (25), the carriage (4-7) being provided with means (27) for the connection of the carriage (4-7) with means (15) for the movement of the carriage (4-7) on the rail (25), and the carriage (4-7) being provided with means (29) for the determination of the position of the carriage (4-7) and thereby of the support (8) on the rail (25).