Workpiece Conveyance Pallet Clamping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional workpiece conveyance pallets in production lines rely on external power actuators for clamping, leading to complex structures, higher manufacturing costs, and lower reliability.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece conveyance pallet with a clamping mechanism featuring movable claws, a biasing section, and an interlocking mechanism that allows for clamping and unclamping without external power, using a robot controller to manage the movement restriction and biasing sections for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external power actuators are used for clamping workpieces, then reliable clamping force can be achieved, but the production line structure becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism uses a biasing section (spring) to automatically generate clamping force on the claws without requiring external actuators. The system serves itself by using the stored elastic energy of the biasing section to maintain continuous clamping pressure, eliminating the need for external power sources and complex control systems while maintaining reliable clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the external power actuators from the clamping mechanism. By taking out the motors, cylinders, or other actuating devices that would normally drive the claws, the patent simplifies the overall production line structure while still achieving functional clamping through the passive biasing mechanism.
2Reliability
If external power actuators are used for clamping workpieces, then precise control of clamping force is possible, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex actuator systems with a simple, inexpensive biasing section (spring mechanism). This disposable-like approach uses a basic elastic element that provides sufficient clamping control without the need for costly motors, sensors, and control electronics, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining functional precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing section automatically adjusts and maintains clamping force through its elastic properties without requiring external control systems. The spring self-regulates the clamping pressure based on the workpiece geometry, eliminating the need for expensive automated control systems while achieving adequate clamping precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If claws are made movable for flexible clamping, then adaptability to different workpieces improves, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The claws are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and orientation to accommodate different workpiece shapes and sizes. The biasing section provides continuous force to maintain contact, enabling the claws to adapt passively to various workpiece geometries without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism is divided into separate modular components: individual claws that can move independently, a biasing section that provides force, and a movement restriction section that controls the range of motion. This segmentation allows each component to be simple while the combination provides adaptable clamping functionality.
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
Simplifies the production line structure, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances reliability by eliminating the need for external power actuators while ensuring precise clamping and unclamping of workpieces.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing section configured to bias the at least one of the first claw and the second claw in a closing direction
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece conveyance pallet which can reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the reliability. The workpiece conveyance pallet includes a rest surface on which a workpiece is mounted, and a clamping mechanism which clamps the workpiece, the clamping mechanism including an openable and closable, first claw and second claw, a biasing section which biases the first claw and the second claw in the closing direction, and a movement restriction section which detachably engages with the first claw and the second claw when the first claw and the second claw are opened.