Segmented Retaining Plate Layout for Flexible Workpiece Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional workpiece mounting plates are heavy, expensive, and require significant storage space, leading to high costs and limited flexibility, as each plate is designed specifically for a particular workpiece and must be replaced if damaged.

Innovation Solution

A segmented workpiece receiving plate system comprising separate segments that cannot be coupled, supported by actuators such as robot arms, allowing for the formation of various workpiece receiving plates by replacing segments and adjusting their positions, enabling flexible use and reduced material costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional one-piece workpiece mounting plates are used, then the workpiece can be securely held and positioned, but the mounting plates become heavy, expensive, and require significant storage space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece holding and positioning capabilityVSAvoidmounting plate weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate is divided into multiple separate segments that can be independently positioned by individual actuators. Each segment can be independently controlled to provide support and clamping functions, replacing the conventional one-piece heavy mounting plate while maintaining the workpiece holding capability through coordinated segment positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional one-piece workpiece mounting plates are used, then the workpiece can be securely held and positioned, but the mounting plates become expensive and tie up capital

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece holding and positioning capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and capital investment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate is divided into multiple separate segments that can be independently positioned by individual actuators. Each segment can be independently controlled to provide support and clamping functions, replacing the conventional one-piece heavy mounting plate while maintaining the workpiece holding capability through coordinated segment positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented mounting plate system can be reconfigured for different workpiece types and sizes by adjusting actuator positions and segment arrangements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized mounting plates, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and capital investment while maintaining reliable workpiece holding capabilities.

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

3Reliability

If conventional one-piece workpiece mounting plates are used, then the workpiece can be securely held and positioned, but significant storage space is occupied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece holding and positioning capabilityVSAvoidstorage space requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate is divided into multiple separate segments that can be independently positioned by individual actuators. Each segment can be independently controlled to provide support and clamping functions, replacing the conventional one-piece heavy mounting plate while maintaining the workpiece holding capability through coordinated segment positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented mounting plate system allows dynamic reconfiguration of segments and actuators to adapt to different workpiece requirements. This dynamic capability enables the same hardware to serve multiple functions, reducing the number of physical mounting plates needed and thereby reducing storage space requirements while maintaining reliable workpiece holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If conventional one-piece workpiece mounting plates are used, then the workpiece can be securely held and positioned, but flexibility for different workpieces is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece holding and positioning capabilityVSAvoidflexibility for different workpieces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate is divided into multiple separate segments that can be independently positioned by individual actuators. Each segment can be independently controlled to provide support and clamping functions, replacing the conventional one-piece heavy mounting plate while maintaining the workpiece holding capability through coordinated segment positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented mounting plate system allows dynamic reconfiguration of segments and actuators to adapt to different workpiece requirements. This dynamic capability enables the same hardware to serve multiple functions, reducing the number of physical mounting plates needed and thereby reducing storage space requirements while maintaining reliable workpiece holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 3:

The segmented mounting plate system can be reconfigured for different workpiece types and sizes by adjusting actuator positions and segment arrangements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized mounting plates, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and capital investment while maintaining reliable workpiece holding capabilities.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3157804B1Segmented retaining plate for a workpiece
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 FFT PRODUKTIONSSYSTEME GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3157804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3157804B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3157804B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a segmented retaining plate for a workpiece (8), said segmented retaining plate (1) being formed by at least two separate retaining plate segments (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) which cannot or are not coupled to each other.