Reciprocating Nozzle Blast Device with Counterweight Vibration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blast treatment devices face difficulties in treating workpieces with irregular surfaces or large areas due to limitations in nozzle movement and media scattering, which restricts their application on complex shapes like aircraft panels.

Innovation Solution

A blast treatment device with a reciprocating nozzle mechanism using a crank mechanism and weight members to stabilize and extend the reach of nozzles, allowing flexible adaptation to workpiece size and form, while minimizing media scattering through a dust-proof body and external power transmission structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a casing for preventing scattering of blast media is placed near the workpiece, then scattering of blast media is prevented, but interference with the workpiece having an irregular surface occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescattering of blast mediaVSAvoidadaptability to irregular surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible dust-proof cover made of elastic material that can deform and adapt to irregular workpiece surfaces. The cover includes a nozzle holder portion and a dust-proof portion that flexibly conform to the workpiece geometry, preventing blast media scattering while accommodating complex shapes without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The dust-proof cover is designed as a movable and flexible structure rather than a rigid casing. It can dynamically adjust its shape and position to match the workpiece surface contours, enabling effective dust prevention on irregular surfaces while maintaining adaptability to various geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If a multijoint manipulator is used to move the nozzle, then the nozzle can reach large workpieces, but the moving range is limited by the lengths of links

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece sizeVSAvoidmoving range
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a counterweight mechanism to balance the manipulator system, enabling the nozzle to reach and treat large workpieces effectively. The counterweight compensates for the weight of the manipulator links and nozzle assembly, extending the practical moving range and allowing treatment of large-area workpieces without being constrained by link length limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a multijoint manipulator with dust-proof covers is used, then dust proofing is achieved, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust mixing in driving partVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the dust-proof cover with the manipulator structure itself, integrating the dust prevention function into the existing manipulator components rather than adding separate dust-proof covers for each joint. This integration reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective dust protection for the driving parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Length of moving object

If a reciprocating nozzle mechanism is used, then the range of nozzle movement is extended, but vibrations occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of nozzle movementVSAvoidvibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a counterweight mechanism to balance the reciprocating nozzle assembly during its movement cycle. The counterweight offsets the inertial forces and vibrations generated by the reciprocating motion, enabling extended range of movement while maintaining system stability and reducing harmful vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 stable and efficient blast treatment on large and irregularly shaped workpieces, including aircraft panels, by suppressing vibrations and extending the range of nozzle movement, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional multijoint manipulators.

Implementation Method 1

a first crank mechanism (60, 61, 62, 63) which converts a rotation of a first crank (60) into a reciprocating movement of the nozzle (2) in a first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrank mechanism: Crankshaft

Implementation Method 2

a first weight member (12) which cancels a vibration caused by a reciprocation of the nozzles (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational counterbalancing: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

The blast treatment is performed by injecting blast media with compressed air from a nozzle for blast treatment toward a workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air propulsion: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

a blast treatment device having a duct line for recovering blast media near a nozzle for injecting the blast media and having a structure in which the nozzle and the duct line for recovering the blast media are covered by a casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP2982476B1Blast treatment device and blast treatment method
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 SUBARU CORP
  • EP2982476B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2982476B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2982476B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a blast treatment device includes at least one nozzle (2), a movement structure (3) and at least one weight member (12). The at least one nozzle (2) injects blast media (B). The movement structure (3) reciprocates the at least one nozzle (2) along a track. The at least one weight member (12) cancels a vibration caused by reciprocating the at least one nozzle (2). Further, according to one embodiment, a blast treatment method includes injecting blast media (B) from at least one nozzle (2); manufacturing a blast treated product by reciprocating the at least one nozzle (2) along a track; and cancelling a vibration, caused by reciprocating the at least one nozzle (2), by at least one weight member (12).