Suction Cup Locking for Air-Cushioned Slab Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual positioning of heavy locking suction cups in horizontal machining centers is cumbersome and inefficient, requiring significant operator effort and disrupting machine operations for safety, especially when handling large and heavy slabs.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with suction cup ends and air management system allows for ergonomic and efficient positioning of locking members and slabs by creating an air cushion for easy movement and secure attachment, using vacuum and air supply to facilitate relative positioning without manual lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual positioning of locking suction cups is used, then the operator can position the locking elements, but considerable operator effort is required due to the heavy weight of the suction cups and slabs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using an air cushion generated between the suction cup and the support surface to counteract the gravitational force acting on the heavy suction cup and slab. The air pressure differential creates an upward force that balances the weight, allowing the operator to move the components with minimal effort without requiring mechanical counterweights or support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing air between the suction cup and the support surface to create a cushion that reduces friction and enables easy movement. The controlled introduction and removal of air allows the operator to smoothly position the heavy components and then secure them through vacuum attachment, combining the benefits of reduced friction during movement with strong holding force when positioned.
2Ease of operation
If the support surface is raised above the floor to accommodate the machining centre, then the machine can be installed, but the operator's movements become uncomfortable and slow requiring climbing up and down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic air cushioning to enable the operator to move the heavy suction cup and slab components horizontally with minimal effort on the raised support surface. This eliminates the need for the operator to climb onto the support surface by making horizontal movement so easy that positioning can be performed from ground level, thereby recovering the lost time and improving accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the moving parts of the machine are disabled to allow safe operator positioning, then safety regulations are complied with, but the positioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic air cushioning to create a safe working environment where the operator can move heavy components horizontally with minimal friction and effort. The air cushion acts as a protective barrier between the operator and the heavy components, allowing safe positioning operations to proceed while the machine parts remain disabled, thereby maintaining safety compliance while minimizing the time penalty through reduced physical effort.
4Reliability
If large and heavy slabs are positioned on the suction cups, then the machining requirements are met, but it becomes difficult to move them horizontally for repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by cyclically introducing and removing air between the suction cup and the slab. During repositioning, air is introduced to create a cushion that temporarily reduces the holding force, allowing the slab to be moved horizontally with minimal effort. Once repositioned, the air supply is removed and vacuum is restored to securely lock the slab in its new position, thus enabling easy repositioning while maintaining reliable locking during machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic control to dynamically adjust the interaction between the suction cup and the slab. By controlling the air pressure and flow, the system can transition between a high-friction locked state for secure machining and a low-friction movable state for repositioning, allowing the operator to easily move heavy slabs when needed while maintaining secure attachment during operation.
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
Enables simple, ergonomic, and efficient relative positioning of locking members and slabs, reducing operator effort and minimizing disruption to machining operations.
Implementation Method 1
supplying air to the locking member so as to mutually disengage the suction cup end from the slab-like object and perform a relative air cushion movement between the locking member and the slab-like object
Implementation Method 2
sucking air from the locking member so as to mutually engage the suction cup end and the slab-like object
Data Source
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AI summary
A locking device (1) is described for a horizontal machining centre (2) with three or more axes comprising: a locking member (3; 3'; 3"; 3‴) having a suction cup end (4; 5) for attaching to, and detaching from, a slab-like object (P, L) which may comprise a support surface (P) of the machining centre (2) and/or a slab (L) to be machined; suction means (6) operably connectable to the locking member (3; 3'; 3"; 3‴) for mutually engaging the suction cup end and the slab-like object; and air supply means (7) operably connectable to the locking member to release air from the suction end to mutually disengage the suction end and the slab-like object and permit relative air-cushioned movement and desired positioning between the locking member and the slab-like object; a method for performing relative positioning between a locking member and a slab-like object is also described.