Robotized Support for Anti-Roll Bar Yoke Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of attaching anti-roll bar yokes to motor vehicle rear axle crossmembers is ergonomically challenging for technicians and requires expensive 'piloted end' screws due to the wide fixing holes, necessitating significant play compensation.
Innovation Solution
A method and support system utilizing a robot-secured clevis with auxiliary holes and screwing heads, where the clevis is placed on a support with rods to align with bearings, allowing for precise positioning and automatic screwing into crossmember threaded holes without the technician needing to be under the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fixing holes are made wider to facilitate screwing and accommodate dimensional dispersions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to the need for expensive piloted end screws
Solution Approach 1:
The support acts as an intermediary device between the yoke and the crossmember. It provides precise positioning through bearings that interface with the auxiliary holes, while the screwing heads independently position and drive the screws into the fixing holes. This mediator system eliminates the need for piloted end screws by providing the necessary positioning function through the support structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The support is divided into distinct functional components: bearings for positioning through auxiliary holes, screwing heads for screw insertion and driving, and translation mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the bearings handle positioning while the screwing heads handle fastening, eliminating the need for expensive piloted end screws.
2Device complexity
If manual fixing is performed by technicians under the vehicle body, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to ergonomic challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is designed to be self-positioning and self-fastening. The bearings automatically position the yoke through the auxiliary holes, and the screwing heads automatically drive the screws into the fixing holes and threaded holes. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for technicians to manually position and fasten the yoke from under the vehicle, improving ergonomic conditions while maintaining systematic simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of positioning and fastening by technicians is replaced by an automated mechanical system controlled by a robot. The robot translates the support and screwing heads along predetermined trajectories to perform the fixing operation, eliminating the ergonomic challenges of manual work under the vehicle while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If automated fixing with robot control is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved by eliminating manual work under the vehicle, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed as a multi-functional device that combines positioning (through bearings in auxiliary holes), fastening (through screwing heads), and movement (through translation mechanisms) in a single integrated structure. This universality allows the robot to control a single device that performs all necessary operations, reducing overall system complexity compared to multiple separate devices while achieving full automation.
4Manufacturing precision
If piloted end screws are used to compensate for play in wide fixing holes, then the positioning precision is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The support acts as an intermediary that provides the positioning function through its bearings interfacing with the auxiliary holes. This eliminates the need for expensive piloted end screws, as the support structure itself provides the necessary positioning accuracy through its mechanical interface with the yoke's auxiliary holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support uses standard screws in the screwing heads instead of expensive piloted end screws. By providing positioning through the support's bearings rather than through the screws themselves, the system can use simpler, cheaper screws that are easier to manufacture and replace, reducing material cost while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment method which consists of taking a yoke (CB), including two attachment holes (TF) and one auxiliary hole (TA) and secured to a anti-roll bar (BA) of the motor vehicle, in order to place same on a mounting (SC) comprising two screwing heads (TV) and a bearing (PA) extended by a rod (TP), such that the auxiliary hole (TA) thereof is crossed by the rod (TP) and rests against said bearing (PA) and that the attachment holes (TF) thereof are placed above the screwing heads (TV), and then to position the mounting (SC) under the crossmember (TT) so that the attachment holes (TF) are placed under threaded holes (TF') of the crossmember (TT), and then to translate the screwing heads (TV) provided with screws in order to insert the latter into the attachment holes (TF) and to screw same into the threaded holes (TF').