Welding Fixture Gripper Tilt Mechanism for Load Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing welding fixtures for spacer grids in nuclear fuel assemblies face challenges with swaying due to gaps in interconnection points, leading to potential damage during laser welding, and require improved automation for efficient charging and withdrawal processes.
Innovation Solution
A charging device with a base frame, conveyor, and gripper system that includes a gripper body and a gripping part capable of tilting to manage heavy loads, connected by elastic connectors and equipped with loading guide cylinders and a proximity sensor for precise positioning and load management, allowing for automated charging and withdrawal of welding fixtures in a welding chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spacer grid straps are interconnected by inserting into incision parts, then assembly is simplified, but the structure becomes unstable due to gaps causing swaying
Solution Approach 1:
The welding fixture pre-assembles spacer grid straps at predetermined positions before they are inserted into the incision parts of the spacer grid. This preliminary assembly ensures proper positioning and alignment, allowing the straps to be securely fastened before insertion, thereby maintaining structural stability while preserving assembly simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If laser welding is used for spacer grid, then welding precision is improved, but automation for charging and withdrawal is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The welding fixture is equipped with self-positioning features including positioning protrusions that fit into corresponding positioning grooves on the conveyor. This self-positioning mechanism automatically ensures the fixture is correctly aligned with the laser welding head, enabling precise welding while maintaining high automation without requiring manual intervention for positioning.
3Device complexity
If welding fixture is charged and withdrawn manually, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation of charging and withdrawing welding fixtures is replaced with an automated conveyor system. The conveyor automatically transports fixtures between positioning stations and the laser welding head, eliminating manual handling while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through the use of standard automated material handling equipment.
4Ease of operation
If welding fixture is not positioned precisely, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates proximity sensors that detect the position of the welding fixture on the conveyor and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism ensures the fixture is precisely positioned before laser welding begins, maintaining high positioning precision while keeping the operation simple through automated detection and adjustment.
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 enhances workability and productivity by preventing overload damage and enabling efficient transfer of welding fixtures before and after welding on a single conveyor line, ensuring precise positioning and safe handling within the welding chamber.
Implementation Method 1
a gripping part (220) installed horizontal to one end of the gripper body (210) in the horizontal direction, and capable of tilting in a vertical direction to the gripper body (210) in case a vertical load applied is heavier than a predetermined load
Implementation Method 2
equipped with loading guide cylinders and a proximity sensor for precise positioning and load management
Implementation Method 3
Laser welding is mostly used for the welding method of spacer grid
Data Source
AI summary
A charging device of a welding fixture of spacer grid comprises a base frame; a conveyor for conveying a welding fixture horizontally over the base frame; and a gripper located over the base frame for gripping a welding fixture conveyed along the conveyor to charge a welding fixture into a welding chamber, wherein the gripper comprises a gripper body; and a gripping part installed horizontal to the end of the gripper body for gripping a welding fixture and capable of tilting in vertical direction to the gripper body in case more than a predetermined load is applied as a vertical load.