Riveting Machine With Transverse Clamp Offset Around Obstacles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing riveting machines face challenges when obstacles are present on the drilling axis, preventing the lower sheet clamp from aligning properly and requiring multiple machines or tools for drilling and riveting operations, which increases time and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A riveting machine design that allows for transverse mobility of the sheet clamps, enabling the lower clamp to offset and circumvent obstacles, allowing for drilling and riveting operations without direct alignment, and includes motorized movement systems for precise positioning and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the lower sheet clamp is aligned coaxially with the drilling axis, then the drilling operation can be performed, but the operation cannot proceed when an obstacle is present on the drilling axis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling operation continuityVSAvoidability to handle obstacles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lower sheet clamp is made movable relative to the drilling axis, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned laterally to bypass obstacles during drilling operations, rather than being fixed in a coaxial position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The solution introduces lateral movement (transverse dimension) of the lower sheet clamp relative to the drilling axis, allowing the clamp to move out of the drilling axis path to avoid obstacles while maintaining drilling capability

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

2Productivity

If multiple machines are used to handle obstacles during drilling, then all drilling operations can be performed, but the device complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of drilling operationsVSAvoidnumber of machines required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drilling machine is designed with a movable lower sheet clamp that can handle both normal coaxial drilling and obstacle avoidance scenarios, making the machine universal for all drilling operations regardless of obstacle presence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The functions of multiple specialized machines (coaxial drilling machine and obstacle-handling machine) are merged into a single machine by equipping it with a lower sheet clamp that can adapt its position to handle both drilling scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the lower sheet clamp is repositioned laterally to bypass obstacles, then drilling can continue, but the alignment with the passage orifice becomes misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling operation continuityVSAvoidalignment with passage orifice
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lower sheet clamp's lateral position is dynamically adjusted based on obstacle presence, allowing temporary misalignment during obstacle avoidance while maintaining functional capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable lower sheet clamp acts as an intermediary element that can be positioned flexibly to bypass obstacles while the drilling tool maintains alignment with the passage orifice through independent positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3762164B1Riveting machine and method
Publication Date: 2022.02.16 CYBERMECA
  • EP3762164B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3762164B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3762164B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a riveting machine comprising a piercing tool (52), an upper clamp (71) and a lower clamp (21), which are mounted with the ability to move relative to one another in the direction of the said clamps (71, 21) moving closer together, an upper snap (51) and a lower snap (29) for upsetting a rivet placed in an orifice formed through the workpieces (8) that are to be riveted. The upper clamp (71) has a through-orifice (72) opposite which the piercing tool (52) is able to be positioned so as to allow the said piercing tool (52) to pierce a region of the said workpieces (8) which are clamped between the upper clamp (71) and the lower clamp (21). The upper clamp (71) and the lower clamp (21) are mounted with the ability to move relative to one another in a direction transverse to the axis of piercing. The invention also relates to a riveting method.