Threaded Tool Positioning Mechanism for Low-Fatigue Drilling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle manufacturing and servicing often require significant force to be applied to tools for extended periods, leading to technician fatigue and accelerated wear and tear of tools and vehicle components, especially when operating in difficult-to-reach locations.
Innovation Solution
A tool positioning apparatus with a shaft housing, threaded shaft, rotatable actuator, holder frame, and spring mechanism that allows for lateral movement and vertical adjustment of tools, reducing the force required for tool operation by using a pivotable actuator to compress a spring, thereby minimizing tool wear and fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If significant force is applied to a tool for a lengthy period of time to perform operations in difficult-to-reach locations, then the tool can complete the required task, but technician fatigue increases and tool wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning apparatus with a holder frame, threaded shaft, and actuator mechanism serves as an intermediary device between the technician and the tool. The apparatus includes a base that positions against the vehicle frame, a holder frame that holds the tool, and a threaded shaft with an actuator that automatically adjusts the tool's position and applies force, eliminating the need for the technician to manually apply sustained force while maintaining tool operation capability
2Productivity
If significant force is applied to a tool for a lengthy period of time to perform operations in difficult-to-reach locations, then the tool can complete the required task, but tool wear and vehicle component wear accelerate
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning apparatus acts as a controlled intermediary that mediates the force application between the tool and the workpiece. The actuator mechanism provides precise, controlled force application through the threaded shaft, preventing excessive or uncontrolled force that would cause wear, while still enabling the tool to complete its operational task effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator mechanism changes the parameters of force application by providing controlled, incremental movement through the threaded shaft engagement with the actuator. This transforms the force application from sustained high force to controlled incremental force application, reducing wear while maintaining productivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tool is manually positioned and operated in hard-to-reach areas, then the tool can access the work area, but the operation requires significant time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning apparatus serves as a mediator that handles the complex positioning and force application tasks, allowing the technician to simply operate the tool while the apparatus manages the positioning through its actuator mechanism, significantly reducing operation time while maintaining access to hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus performs preliminary positioning actions by using the actuator mechanism to pre-position the tool holder at the correct location and orientation before the actual tool operation begins. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for continuous manual adjustment during operation, reducing overall operation time
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 quick, accurate, and reduced-fatigue tool operations, such as drilling, with decreased wear and tear on tools and vehicle components, allowing for efficient positioning and operation of tools in hard-to-reach areas, including significant time savings in tasks like drilling through vehicle frames.
Implementation Method 1
a spring positioned between the rotatable actuator and the holder frame
Implementation Method 2
reducing the force required for tool operation by using a pivotable actuator to compress a spring
Implementation Method 3
a threaded shaft extending into the shaft housing... turning a rotatable actuator disposed about the threaded shaft to drive the threaded shaft and the holder frame upwards
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to tool positioning apparatus, and related components and methods, for vehicle manufacturing and servicing operations. In one or more embodiments, an apparatus for positioning a tool includes a shaft housing, and a threaded shaft extending into the shaft housing. The apparatus includes a rotatable actuator disposed about an outer section of the threaded shaft that is disposed outwardly of the shaft housing. The apparatus includes a holder frame disposed about the threaded shaft, and a spring positioned between the rotatable actuator and the holder frame.