Flexible Ribbon Work Transfer Device for Engine Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine mounting devices in vehicle production lines are expensive due to the high cost of automatic guided vehicles and require significant space and structural changes to adapt to process variations.
Innovation Solution
A work transfer device with a frame having a slit, a ribbon body guided by the slit, a driving part to move the ribbon body, and a tool carriage that can travel in any direction, allowing for easy process changes with a simpler configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic guided vehicles are used in the chassis preparing line, then the engine and chassis can be assembled and transferred, but the device cost becomes expensive and large space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive automatic guided vehicles with a simpler, less costly transfer device that uses a flexible ribbon and basic mechanical components. The transfer device achieves the same functional goal of moving engine assemblies without requiring high-cost AGV systems, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible ribbon as the core transfer mechanism, replacing bulky AGV structures. The thin, flexible nature of the ribbon allows for compact arrangement and reduces space requirements while still enabling effective transfer of engine assemblies between workstations
2Productivity
If automatic guided vehicles are used in the chassis preparing line, then the engine and chassis can be assembled and transferred, but large space is required for waiting and travelling
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible ribbon serves as a space-efficient transfer medium that can be arranged in compact configurations. Unlike AGVs that require large travel paths and waiting areas, the ribbon can be routed through tight spaces and guides, minimizing the overall footprint of the chassis preparing line while maintaining assembly productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical space and three-dimensional routing of the flexible ribbon to achieve transfer functionality without requiring large horizontal travel areas. By moving from a two-dimensional AGV travel plane to a three-dimensional ribbon routing system, the design reduces the ground area needed for the preparation line
3Ease of operation
If the frame structure is integrated with body frame and travelling frame, then the tool carriage can travel on the frame, but major restructuring work is required to change processes or increase the number of tool carriages
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into separate functional components: a body frame and independent travelling frames. This segmentation allows the travelling frames to be easily added, removed, or repositioned without restructuring the entire frame system, enabling flexible process changes and scalability by simply adding more tool carriages on additional travelling frames
Solution Approach 2:
The body frame is designed as a universal platform that can support multiple travelling frames and tool carriages. The standardized interface between the body frame and travelling frames allows any travelling frame to be interchangeably positioned, providing adaptability for different process configurations and enabling easy reconfiguration without major restructuring work
4Power
If a chain with slat plate structure is used to transmit driving force, then the driving motor can power the driving chain, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive chain with slat plates with a simpler, less costly flexible ribbon. The ribbon can be driven by basic friction or simple engagement mechanisms without requiring complex chain structures, sprockets, or slat plate assemblies, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining adequate driving force transmission for moving tool carriages
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
The device reduces manufacturing costs, requires less space, and allows for easy reconfiguration of processes without major structural changes, as the elastic ribbon body can change direction with a smaller radius and the tool carriage can be freely moved on the frame.
Implementation Method 1
The ribbon body is shaped like a plate that is thinner than a width of the slit, and is made of an elastic material. For example, it is preferred that the ribbon body is made of a spring steel material having an enough tensile strength to transmit power to move the all tool carriages and works in the work transfer device, and an enough elasticity to be easily bent along the line formed by the slit.
Data Source
AI summary
A work transfer device is capable of moving a carriage in any direction and easily changes processes even with a simple configuration. The work transfer device includes a frame having a slit in a transfer direction, a ribbon body stored in the frame such that an upper portion is guided by the slit, a carriage coupling part connected to an upper end of the ribbon body and protruding from an upper side of the frame, a driving part feeding power to move the ribbon body in the transfer direction, and a tool carriage, which has a support part supporting a work W and has a coupling part coupled to the carriage coupling part, travelling on the frame.