Wall Panel Inverter Cell With Pivoting Frame for Compact Prefab
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prefabrication processes for wall panels require large assembly lines with multiple devices, increasing manufacturing time and expense, and making it difficult to retrofit existing lines, while also limiting speed, efficiency, and customization.
Innovation Solution
A panel inverter manufacturing cell with a pivotable lift arm system that rotates and inverts wall panels to facilitate various manufacturing positions, allowing for efficient use of space and improved access for manufacturing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large assembly lines with multiple devices are used for prefabricating panels, then manufacturing capability is improved, but manufacturing time and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple manufacturing devices and operations into a single integrated inverter manufacturing cell. The cell includes a table with a frame that can receive work pieces, and a pivotable lift arm that rotates the frame through multiple positions (horizontal, vertical, inverted) to enable different manufacturing processes to be performed sequentially on the same panel without requiring multiple separate devices or large assembly lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is made dynamically movable through the pivotable lift arm mechanism, which can rotate the frame between horizontal and vertical positions and invert it. This dynamic repositioning allows the same manufacturing cell to perform multiple operations that would traditionally require separate stationary devices, thereby reducing manufacturing time while maintaining capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different devices are used to work on different surfaces of a panel, then manufacturing versatility is improved, but device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter manufacturing cell is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple manufacturing operations on different surfaces of a panel. The pivotable lift arm enables the frame to be positioned in various orientations (horizontal, vertical, inverted), allowing the same cell to work on all surfaces of the panel without requiring multiple specialized devices, thus reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Productivity
If large footprints are used for assembly lines, then manufacturing capacity is improved, but space efficiency and retrofitability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple manufacturing operations into a single compact inverter manufacturing cell with a small footprint. The pivotable lift arm mechanism enables multiple operations to be performed in sequence within the same spatial envelope, eliminating the need for large assembly lines with extensive footprints while maintaining manufacturing capacity.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing assembly lines are used, then infrastructure utilization is improved, but adaptability to new manufacturing processes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter manufacturing cell employs a dynamically reconfigurable frame positionable in multiple orientations through the pivotable lift arm. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different manufacturing processes and panel configurations, making it easy to retrofit existing facilities while maintaining infrastructure utilization. The cell can be integrated into existing spaces without requiring dedicated large-scale assembly line infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An inverter manufacturing cell includes a table including a base, a frame configured to receive a work piece, and at least one pivotable lift arm attached to the base and to the frame. The pivotable lift arm is configured to pivot relative to the base about at least one axis such that the frame and work piece rotate from a first, generally horizontal position to a second, generally vertical position. After rotating to the second, vertical position, the frame is configured to slide such that the frame and work piece further rotate to a third, generally horizontal position wherein the frame and work piece are inverted relative to the first, generally horizontal position.