Workpiece Support Device with Movable Surface Copying Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece support devices fail to reliably support workpieces with different non-flat surfaces, as the suction portions cannot be adjusted to match the unique surface shapes of each workpiece, leading to incomplete contact and inadequate support.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece receiving and supporting device equipped with a positioning member and surface copying members that are rotationally and linearly movable, featuring contact portions and sliding portions to adapt to the surface shape of each workpiece, ensuring complete contact and support across varying non-flat surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction portions are pressed against a workpiece to ensure contact, then contact force is improved, but the suction portions cannot adapt to different non-flat surfaces, leading to incomplete contact
Solution Approach 1:
The suction portions are made movable relative to the support device body through sliding mechanisms along guide rails. This dynamic configuration allows each suction portion to independently adjust its position and orientation to match the specific non-flat surface geometry of different workpieces, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable contact and adapting to varying surface shapes
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is divided into multiple independent suction portions, each capable of individual movement and adjustment. This segmentation allows each suction portion to independently conform to different regions of the workpiece surface, enabling the device to handle various non-flat surface configurations while maintaining reliable support
2Device complexity
If suction portions are fixed in arrangement, then device simplicity is improved, but they cannot follow different non-flat surfaces of multiple workpiece types
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates sliding mechanisms with guide rails that enable suction portions to move along predetermined paths. This dynamic design provides adaptability to different surface shapes while maintaining relatively simple mechanical structures through guided linear motion rather than complex multi-axis mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The movable suction portions serve multiple functions: they can adapt to various non-flat surface geometries, maintain consistent contact force through controlled movement, and work with different workpiece types. This multi-functionality achieves versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Reliability
If suction portions are made movable to follow surface shapes, then surface contact is improved, but the arrangement must be reset between different workpiece types
Solution Approach 1:
The suction portions maintain continuous movability along guide rails, allowing them to dynamically adjust to different surface geometries without requiring complete reset. The sliding mechanisms enable seamless transition between workpiece types by simply allowing the portions to move to new equilibrium positions under spring force or actuation
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece receiving and supporting device that is configured to sequentially contact a plurality of types of different non-flat surfaces provided on a plurality of workpieces, and subsequently support the workpieces, includes: at least one positioning member that contacts the workpieces and positions the workpieces; and a plurality of surface copying members that contacts the workpieces positioned by the positioning member, and provided so as to be rotationally movable and linearly movable in accordance with surfaces of the workpieces, wherein the positioning member and the surface copying member include at least a contact portion that contacts the workpieces and supports the workpieces, and at least a sliding portion that is slidable in accordance with surfaces of the workpieces when contacting the workpieces on both sides of the contact portion.