Rotating Platform Booth for Single Robot Paint Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface treatment plants in paint shops, such as those in the automotive sector, face issues with the need for multiple robots to access large objects, dust deposition, inefficient use of space due to linear booth arrangement, and significant energy consumption from over-spray paint fumes.

Innovation Solution

A booth system with a single robot and a motor-driven platform that rotates objects about a vertical axis to align different sides with the robot, allowing for efficient treatment and reducing over-spray by concentrating it in a defined zone, while optimizing space usage with non-linear entrance and exit configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple robots are used to treat large objects like vehicle bodies, then the entire surface can be accessed and treated, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access entire object surfaceVSAvoidnumber of robots required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving multiple robots around a stationary object, the patent inverts the approach by keeping a single robot stationary and rotating the object on a turntable to bring different surfaces into the robot's reach. This reduces the number of robots from multiple to one while maintaining complete surface coverage capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic rotation of the object via a motorized turntable, allowing the single robot to dynamically adjust which part of the object it treats. This dynamic repositioning of the workpiece replaces the need for multiple static robot positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a single robot is arranged above the object to reach all points, then device complexity is reduced, but dust or paint deposits on the object ruining the final appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of robotsVSAvoiddust deposition and paint contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional arrangement by placing the robot at the side rather than above the object, and rotating the object underneath the robot. This prevents the robot's arm and applicator from being positioned directly over the object, eliminating the gravity-driven deposition of dust and excess paint onto the treated surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If booths are arranged in a straight line with sequential configuration, then the treatment process is simple to implement, but space utilization is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebooth arrangement simplicityVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional linear arrangement of booths with a circular configuration where booths are positioned around a central turntable. This curved/circular layout allows multiple booths to share common infrastructure (turntable, overhead systems) and significantly reduces the total floor space required compared to sequential linear placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If a large volume of air is used to eliminate paint fumes from the booth, then over-spray is effectively removed, but energy consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveover-spray removalVSAvoidair volume for fume elimination

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and concentrates the over-spray removal function to a specific localized zone beneath the booth, rather than requiring whole-booth air circulation. By positioning the turntable and object in a way that confines over-spray to a defined area, the system only needs to treat and remove fumes from this smaller zone, reducing overall air volume requirements and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11440041B2Stations for treating motor-vehicle bodies and/or motor-vehicle components

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 GEICO

AI summary

A station for treating motor-vehicle bodies and/or components may include: a booth including at least one entrance for a motor-vehicle body and/or component and at least one exit for the motor-vehicle body and/or component; a system configured to move the motor-vehicle body and/or component between the at least one entrance and the at least one exit; at least one robot configured to treat the motor-vehicle body and/or component in the booth by spraying fluid toward the motor-vehicle body and/or component; and a platform inside the booth configured to support the motor-vehicle body and/or component. The system may be configured to rotate with the platform so as to align with the at least one entrance in order to receive the motor-vehicle body and/or component, and so as to align with the at least one exit in order to release the motor-vehicle body and/or component. The booth may have an octagonal shape.