Tilting Assembly Table with Ball Bearing Counterweight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing associates face inefficiencies and ergonomic challenges when assembling or repairing components, as existing tables require manual manipulation of parts, which can lead to strain and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic assembly table with a rotatable base plate and ball-bearing mechanism that shifts balance and weight to adjust positions, allowing components to be assembled at optimal ergonomic heights, incorporating dampers and shock absorbers for smooth transitions and customizable angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional fixed assembly table is used, then the table structure is simple and stable, but the manufacturing associate must manually manipulate parts at awkward heights leading to ergonomic strain and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly table incorporates a rotatable base plate that can tilt between a first position (horizontal) and a second position (angled), allowing the work surface to dynamically adjust to ergonomic angles. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for manual part manipulation while maintaining structural stability through a controlled rotation mechanism with dampers.
Solution Approach 2:
The table uses a ball bearing mechanism within channels to counterbalance the weight of the base plate during rotation. The ball bearings move between positions to offset gravitational forces, enabling smooth tilting motion without requiring excessive force from the system while maintaining stability at both horizontal and angled positions.
2Productivity
If manual manipulation of parts is required during assembly, then the table structure remains simple, but productivity decreases and ergonomic strain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable base plate allows the work surface to tilt to an optimized angle that naturally positions components for assembly, eliminating the need for manual manipulation. The component holder rotates with the base plate, maintaining component accessibility while improving ergonomic positioning and assembly efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The table's tilting mechanism automatically positions the work surface and components at ergonomic angles without requiring the manufacturing associate to manually adjust or manipulate parts. The system self-adjusts to optimize the assembly position, reducing manual effort and increasing productivity.
3Ease of operation
If a rotatable base plate mechanism is added to adjust table height and angle, then ergonomics improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball bearing mechanism acts as a counterweight system that naturally balances the base plate at different rotation positions. The ball bearings move within channels to offset the changing center of gravity, enabling smooth position adjustments without complex motors or actuators, thus improving ergonomics while limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
Dampers are incorporated into the rotation mechanism to cushion the movement and stabilize the base plate at desired positions. These dampers provide friction-based resistance that controls the tilting speed and prevents oscillation, ensuring smooth and quiet operation while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Reliability
If dampers and shock absorbers are incorporated for smooth transitions, then operation quality improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Dampers are integrated into the rotation mechanism to cushion the base plate's movement between horizontal and angled positions. These dampers provide controlled friction that smooths the transition, absorbs shocks, and prevents oscillation, ensuring reliable and quiet operation while adding minimal complexity through straightforward mechanical integration.
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
Enhances efficiency and ergonomics by allowing components to be assembled at comfortable heights, reducing manual manipulation and strain, while enabling smooth and quiet operation with customizable positioning.
Implementation Method 1
a first ball bearing movable between a first end of the first channel when the base plate is in the first position and a second end of the first channel when the base plate is in the second position
Implementation Method 2
a first damper at a first end of each of the channel, the first damper damping the ball bearing when the base plate moves to the first position, and a second damper at a second end of the channel, the second damper damping the ball bearing when the base plate moves to the second position
Data Source
AI summary
A tilting assembly table located on a surface includes a frame having first, second, and third horizontal members parallel to each other. The assembly table further includes a base plate rotatably mounted to the first horizontal member, the base plate having a first end and a second end and being rotatable from a first position wherein the first end of the base plate contacts the second horizontal member to a second position wherein the second end of the base plate contacts the third horizontal member. The base plate further includes, at least one channel mounted to a bottom side of the base plate, and at least one ball bearing movable between a first end of the channel when the base plate is in the first position and a second end of the channel when the base plate is in the second position.