Robot Arm Pneumatic Cleaning Tool for Underbody Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning tools for industrial robot arms are limited in their ability to efficiently clean threaded holes, pin bolts, and surfaces on machine and vehicle underbody structures without requiring retooling, as they often fail to effectively remove dirt and residues like impregnation material and thread cutting dust.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic cleaning tool with a rotatable spray nozzle and separately controllable air chambers for surface and threaded bore cleaning, combined with a peripheral bolt cleaning nozzle, allows for independent air supply and directional air flow control, enabling comprehensive cleaning of bolts, bores, and surfaces using a single robot arm tool.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single cleaning tool is used for surface, threaded bore, and bolt cleaning, then retooling is eliminated and construction effort is minimized, but the device complexity increases due to multiple air chambers and nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidtool structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning tool integrates multiple functions (surface cleaning, threaded bore cleaning, and bolt cleaning) into a single device. The housing contains separate air chambers (first air chamber with spray nozzle for surface cleaning, second air chamber with bolt cleaning nozzle for bolt cleaning, and third air chamber with threaded bore cleaning nozzle for threaded hole cleaning) that can be independently controlled, allowing one tool to perform multiple cleaning tasks without retooling.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning tool is divided into functionally independent segments or modules within a single housing. Each air chamber (first, second, and third air chambers) operates independently with its own nozzle system, allowing selective activation of specific cleaning functions based on the task at hand. This segmentation enables versatility while maintaining a unified tool structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If separate air chambers are used for surface cleaning and threaded bore cleaning, then independent control is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidair chamber arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is segmented into separate controllable air chambers. The first air chamber is connected to a first controllable air supply for surface cleaning, while the second air chamber is connected to a second controllable air supply for threaded bore cleaning. This segmentation allows independent control of each cleaning function, enabling operators to activate only the required cleaning mode, thereby improving ease of operation despite the increased structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution allows for safe and efficient cleaning of machine and vehicle underbody structures without retooling, minimizing construction effort and eliminating the need for post-processing, as it uses a single tool to address various cleaning tasks with separate air outlet controls and effective dirt removal.

Implementation Method 1

using compressed air nozzle technology

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air jet: Jet

Implementation Method 2

The air outlet opening is equipped with an air guiding edge, so that the air outlet is oriented counter to the air guiding direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP3145647B1Cleaning tool for a robot arm in order to clean threaded holes, stud bolts and surfaces, inter alia, on underbody structures
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 SCHMITT PROF MOEHLMANN & COLLEGEN WIRTSCHAFTSKANZLEI INSOLVENZVERWALTER AG
  • EP3145647B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3145647B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3145647B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning tool for a robot arm in order to clean threaded holes, stud bolts and surfaces, inter alia, on machine and motor vehicle underbody structures by means of compressed air nozzle technology, the robot arm being equipped with a pneumatic rotation unit and components for connection to the robot arm. A torque-support structure (1) for accommodating a rotatably mounted pneumatic spray nozzle (2) and the further arrangement of a pneumatic bolt-cleaning nozzle (3) are disposed on the end of the robot arm. Cleaning tools of this type are predominantly required for cleaning mechanical engineering and motor vehicle underbody structures in order to remove impregnated material and machining material residues in preparation for further processing. These different objects can be achieved by the solution according to the invention with a single cleaning tool for a robot arm.