Tool Exchange Gripper With Cam Rails and Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for automatically exchanging tool assemblies and sockets in nutrunners are inefficient, complex, and lack fail-safe mechanisms, making them unsuitable for quick and reliable operation in assembly line environments.
Innovation Solution
A tool exchange assembly featuring a gripper with opposing rails forming a cam and a detector system to ensure robust, simple, and fail-safe operation, allowing for quick and efficient swapping of tool assemblies, including the use of sensors and a rotation stopper for precise detection and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing automatic exchange systems are used, then tool assembly exchange can be performed automatically, but the system becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The exchange system is segmented into independent functional components: the gripper with cam mechanism for mechanical holding and exchange, and the detector system for verification. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, avoiding the need for a complex integrated system while maintaining full automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool assembly itself participates in the exchange process through its interaction with the cam mechanism. The tool's outer parts engage with the cam's increasing width, allowing the tool's own geometry to facilitate the exchange action rather than requiring complex external manipulation mechanisms.
2Extent of automation
If existing automatic exchange systems are used, then tool assembly exchange can be performed automatically, but the system becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is pre-configured with increasing width along its path, which automatically guides and accelerates the tool assembly exchange process. The detector is pre-positioned to verify presence before exchange completes, ensuring smooth operation without delays for manual verification, thereby improving exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic detection cycles to verify tool assembly presence at critical points in the exchange process. This periodic verification ensures automated operation proceeds smoothly without interruptions, maintaining high productivity while ensuring reliability.
3Extent of automation
If existing automatic exchange systems are used, then tool assembly exchange can be performed, but fail-safe mechanisms are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The detector provides immediate feedback on tool assembly presence at the gripper, creating a closed-loop control system. This feedback mechanism ensures that the automated exchange process only proceeds when the tool is properly positioned, preventing errors and enhancing fail-safe characteristics by automatically detecting and preventing improper operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates preventive detection before the exchange operation completes, acting as a cushion against potential failures. By verifying tool presence and position beforehand through the detector, the system prevents erroneous exchanges or operational failures rather than reacting to them after occurrence.
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
The solution enables quick and efficient exchange of tool assemblies with reduced complexity and improved fail-safe characteristics, allowing for automated operation in manufacturing environments, increasing flexibility and productivity of tool manipulators.
Implementation Method 1
The rail(s) form a cam with increasing width along a path from said end to said base, wherein said cam is configured to be positioned in a gap between outer parts of the tool assemblies being relatively movable with regard to each other
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a tool exchange assembly configured to swap change tool assemblies, said tool exchange assembly at least comprising a gripper with two opposing rails, said rails extending from a base to an end and forming a cam with increasing width along a path from said end to said base, wherein said cam is configured to be positioned in a gap between outer parts of the tool assemblies being relatively movable with regard to each other, and wherein at least one detector is provided to separately determine whether a tool assembly and a tool manipulator is present at the gripper.