Sensor-Guided Rivet Cartridge Filling for Mixed Rivet Geometries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rivet cartridge filling methods require significant manual effort and adjustments to handle different types and geometries of rivet elements, limiting flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a robot-based system for aligning and supplying rivet elements to a rivet cartridge, with a control unit and sensor arrangement to detect and pick up rivet elements, allowing for flexible handling of various diameters and lengths without mechanical adjustments to the rivet delivery unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustments are made to the rivet delivery unit to handle different rivet element types and geometries, then the rivet cartridge can be filled with different rivet elements, but the setup effort and time increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustments with an automated robot-based system. The robot uses sensors to detect rivet element properties and automatically adjusts gripper parameters to handle different rivet types, eliminating the need for manual mechanical reconfiguration of the rivet delivery unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (gripper force, gripper position, robot speed) based on detected rivet element properties. The control unit stores multiple parameter sets corresponding to different rivet types and automatically selects and applies the appropriate parameters when switching between rivet element genres.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical adjustments are made to the rivet delivery unit for different rivet element geometries, then the filling process can accommodate various rivet types, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a robot-based system equipped with sensors and programmable control. The robot handles geometric variations through software control and adaptive gripping rather than through multiple mechanical adjustment components.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system serves as a universal handling mechanism that can accommodate multiple rivet element types and geometries through programmable control, eliminating the need for dedicated mechanical adjustment mechanisms for each rivet type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If automated robot-based transport is implemented from rivet delivery unit to rivet cartridge, then flexibility in handling different rivet elements is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a robot-based automated transport system that replaces manual handling and simple mechanical conveyance. The robot provides flexible, programmable handling of different rivet elements, and while it increases automation capability, it consolidates multiple functions into a single programmable system rather than requiring multiple specialized mechanical components.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for filling a rivet cartridge with rivet elements by means of a rivet loading station having a rivet delivery unit for delivering the rivet elements and having a rivet cartridge receiving means for receiving a rivet cartridge, wherein the rivet elements are supplied from the rivet delivery unit to a rivet cartridge which is received in the rivet cartridge receiving means and are received therein in an aligned manner. It is proposed that at least part of the transport from the rivet delivery unit to the rivet cartridge is effected in a robot-based manner.