Multifunctional chain conveying equipment and using method thereof
By introducing the adjustment mechanism of cross-shaped mounting shell and bidirectional screw in the chain conveying equipment, the problem that the chain conveying equipment cannot adapt to different material sizes and widths is solved, the multifunctionality and efficient transmission of the equipment are realized, and the adjustment of the production line is reduced. Complexity and labor costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411315397.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-20
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-10
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing chain conveying equipment cannot adjust the distance between chain teeth according to different sizes and widths of the material, resulting in the material falling off during transmission, affecting the transfer efficiency and stability.
A multifunctional chain conveying equipment is designed. Through the cooperation of the cross-shaped mounting shell and the bidirectional screw, the distance between the chain body can be adjusted, and through the cooperation of the motor and the cylinder, the automatic transmission and the adjustment of the hoisting block can be realized to ensure that Stable transfer of materials.
It realizes the rapid adaptation of chain conveying equipment to products of different specifications, reduces the complexity and time cost of equipment replacement and production line adjustment, improves the transmission efficiency and stability, and reduces material damage and labor costs.
Smart Images

Figure CN119100062A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The invention relates to the field of conveying equipment, and in particular to a multifunctional chain conveying equipment and a use method thereof. Background Art
[0002] In order to transport processed products more quickly, many processing plants currently use chain conveyor equipment. With the rapid development of mechanical equipment, the existing chain conveyor equipment has also developed rapidly, and its functions have been gradually improved to meet the transportation of a variety of products.
[0003] The patent with patent application announcement number CN213474554U discloses a new type of multifunctional chain conveying equipment. This equipment allows the machine body to present different transportation angles and also allows the machine body to transport at different heights, solving the problem that the existing conveying equipment cannot be adjusted according to actual transmission needs during use, thereby improving the practicality of the conveying equipment.
[0004] However, in the prior art, since the sprocket wheel of the chain transmission structure is fixed on the rotating shaft, when the size of the transmitted material is different, the sprocket wheel cannot adjust the distance between the two chain teeth according to the size of the material. When the width of the material is smaller than the distance between the two chains, the material will fall from between the chains, thereby affecting the chain's transmission of the material. Summary of the invention
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional chain conveying device and a method of using the same to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.
[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: the multifunctional chain conveying equipment comprises: a chain conveying equipment body, a tensioning structure movably installed on the left side of the outer wall of one side of the chain conveying equipment body, a protective cover movably installed on the left side of the top outer wall of the chain conveying equipment body, bottom plates movably installed on the outer walls on both sides of the chain conveying equipment body, straightening plates movably installed on the outer walls of the tops of the two bottom plates, and protruding plates fixedly connected to the opposite sides of the two straightening plates.
[0007] Preferably, the outer wall at the bottom of the chain conveying equipment body is fixedly connected to a support leg, a support plate is fixedly connected between the two support legs, a fixing plate is fixedly connected to the outside of the right side of the two support rods, a cylinder is fixedly connected to the top of the fixing plate, the output end of the cylinder is fixedly connected to a base, a lifting block is movably connected to the outer wall at the top of the base, and an electric eye is provided on the outer wall at the top of the base.
[0008] Preferably, a motor is fixedly connected to the right side of the outer wall of the chain conveyor body, and the output end of the motor is rotatably connected to the interior of the chain conveyor body. The output end of the motor is fixedly connected to a rotating shaft, and one end of the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the chain conveyor body. There are two rotating shafts, and a sprocket is slidably connected to the outer wall of the rotating shaft, and the outer walls of the two sprockets are meshingly connected to the chain body.
[0009] Preferably, the two chain bodies are movably connected to the outer wall of the lifting block, and a plurality of material support frames are rotatably connected to opposite sides of the two chain bodies.
[0010] Preferably, a cavity is opened inside the rotating shaft, a plurality of slide grooves are opened on the outer wall of the rotating shaft, the outer wall on one side of the slide groove is connected through the outer wall of the cavity, a bidirectional screw rod is rotatably connected inside the cavity, and a cross-shaped mounting shell is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the sprocket.
[0011] Preferably, the outer wall of the cross-shaped mounting shell is slidably connected to the inside of the slide groove, a threaded hole is provided in the middle of the cross-shaped mounting shell, a temporary storage groove is provided inside the cross-shaped mounting shell, a through hole is provided on the outer wall of the cross-shaped mounting shell, the outer wall of the through hole is penetrated and connected to the inside of the sprocket, a water absorption surface is fixedly connected to the inside of the through hole, and the outer wall of the water absorption surface is in movably contact with the inner ring wall of the chain body.
[0012] Preferably, a mounting plate is fixedly connected to the middle position of the slide groove, a rotating rod is rotatably connected to the inside of the mounting plate, a driving wheel is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom of the rotating rod, a driven wheel is meshingly connected to the outer wall of the driving wheel, the position of the driven wheel axis is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bidirectional screw rod, and the outer wall of the bidirectional screw rod is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the threaded hole.
[0013] Preferably, a circular groove is provided on the outer wall of the top of the mounting plate near the outer side of the rotating rod, a magnetic ring is fixedly connected to the inside of the circular groove, a handle is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rotating rod, a protruding block is fixedly connected to the outer wall on one side of the handle, a limiting rod is slidably connected to the inside of the protruding block, a magnetic block is fixedly connected to the bottom of the limiting rod, and the outer wall of the bottom of the magnetic block is attracted to the outer wall of the top of the magnetic ring at different levels.
[0014] A method for using a multifunctional chain conveyor device is implemented based on the multifunctional chain conveyor device. The method for using the multifunctional chain conveyor device comprises the following steps: Step 1: First, adjust the lifting block and chain body according to different products; Step 2: Start the motor, and then the movement of the motor can make the rotating shaft drive the sprocket to rotate, so that the chain body can transport the product; Step 3: When the product moves to the top of the lifting block, the electric eye set on the base can sense the material and transmit the signal to the cylinder, so that the cylinder pushes the product upward.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention proposes a multifunctional chain conveying device and a method for using the same. A cross-shaped mounting shell is driven to move on a bidirectional screw rod through two threaded holes, and then the movement of the cross-shaped mounting shell can drive the sprocket to move on the rotating shaft, thereby adjusting the distance between the two chain bodies according to the product, so that the chain bodies can adapt to products of different widths and achieve a wider range of applications. At the same time, on the production line, when products of different specifications need to be processed, the chain body spacing can be quickly adjusted, reducing the complexity and time cost of replacing equipment or adjusting the production line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the top plan view structure of the present invention; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the working state structure of the cylinder of the present invention; Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the chain conveying device body of the present invention; Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the chain body structure of the present invention; Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the rotating shaft structure of the present invention; Figure 7 For the present invention Figure 6 A is an enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at location A; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the chute structure of the present invention; Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the cross-shaped mounting shell of the present invention; Fig.10 It is a schematic structural diagram of a cross-sectional view of one end of the rotating shaft of the present invention.
[0016] In the figure: 1. Chain conveyor equipment body; 11. Tensioning structure; 12. Protective cover; 13. Guide plate; 14. Bottom plate; 15. Chain body; 16. Lifting block; 17. Cylinder; 18. Base; 2. Motor; 3. Rotating shaft; 31. Slide groove; 4. Sprocket; 41. Cross-shaped mounting shell; 42. Temporary storage groove; 43. Water absorption surface; 44. Threaded hole; 5. Bidirectional screw; 51. Driven wheel; 52. Driving wheel; 53. Mounting plate; 54. Magnetic ring; 55. Handle; 56. Limit rod; 57. Magnetic block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] In order to make the purpose and technical solution of the present invention clearly and completely described, and the advantages more clearly understood, the embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them, and are only used to explain the embodiments of the present invention, and are not used to limit the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0018] Embodiment 1 See also Figure 1 - Fig.10 The present invention provides a technical solution of a multifunctional chain conveying device and a method for using the same: the multifunctional chain conveying device comprises: a chain conveying device body 1, a tensioning structure 11 is movably installed on the left side of the outer wall of one side of the chain conveying device body 1, a protective cover 12 is movably installed on the left side of the top outer wall of the chain conveying device body 1, bottom plates 14 are movably installed on the outer walls on both sides of the chain conveying device body 1, guide plates 13 are movably installed on the outer walls on the tops of the two bottom plates 14, and protruding plates are fixedly connected to the opposite sides of the two guide plates 13, a supporting leg is fixedly connected to the outer wall at the bottom of the chain conveying device body 1, a supporting plate is fixedly connected between the two supporting legs, a fixing plate is fixedly connected to the outside of the right sides of the two supporting rods, a cylinder 17 is fixedly connected to the top of the fixing plate, a base 18 is fixedly connected to the output end of the cylinder 17, a lifting block 16 is movably connected to the outer wall at the top of the base 18, and an electric eye is arranged on the outer wall at the top of the base 18.
[0019] By movably connecting the lifting block 16 with the base 18, the lifting block 16 can be replaced according to different products when conveying the products, so that the size of the lifting block 16 can better fit the products, avoiding the mismatch between the size and shape of the products and the lifting block 16, and preventing the products from slipping or tilting during the lifting process. Accordingly, the products and the lifting block 16 can fit tightly and stably support various products, preventing the products from falling during the lifting process, thereby reducing the risk of product damage.
[0020] Embodiment 2 On the basis of the first embodiment, a mounting plate 53 is fixedly connected to the middle position of the slide groove 31, and a rotating rod is rotatably connected to the inside of the mounting plate 53, and a driving wheel 52 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom of the rotating rod, and the outer wall of the driving wheel 52 is meshingly connected to the driven wheel 51, and the axis of the driven wheel 51 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bidirectional screw rod 5, and the outer wall of the bidirectional screw rod 5 is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the threaded hole 44, and a circular groove is provided on the outer wall of the top of the mounting plate 53 near the outside of the rotating rod, and a magnetic ring 54 is fixedly connected to the inside of the circular groove, and a handle 55 is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rotating rod, and a protrusion is fixedly connected to the outer wall of one side of the handle 55, and the inner sliding connection of the protrusion is connected to a limit rod 56, and a magnetic block 57 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the limit rod 56, and the outer wall of the bottom of the magnetic block 57 is attracted to the outer wall of the top of the magnetic ring 54 at different levels.
[0021] The cross-shaped mounting shell 41 is driven to move on the bidirectional screw rod 5 through the two threaded holes 44, and then the movement of the cross-shaped mounting shell 41 can drive the sprocket 4 to move on the rotating shaft 3, so as to adjust the distance between the two chain bodies 15 according to the product, so that the chain body 15 can adapt to products of different widths and achieve a wider range of applications. At the same time, on the production line, when it is necessary to process products of different specifications, the spacing of the chain bodies 15 can be quickly adjusted, reducing the complexity and time cost of replacing equipment or adjusting the production line.
[0022] Embodiment 3 On the basis of Example 2, a motor 2 is fixedly connected to the right side of the outer wall of the chain conveyor equipment body 1, and the output end of the motor 2 is rotatably connected to the inside of the chain conveyor equipment body 1. The output end of the motor 2 is fixedly connected to a rotating shaft 3, and one end of the rotating shaft 3 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the chain conveyor equipment body 1. There are two rotating shafts 3, and a sprocket 4 is slidably connected to the outer wall of the two sprockets 4. The outer walls of the two sprockets 4 are meshingly connected to the chain body 15. The two chain bodies 15 are movably connected to the outer wall of the lifting block 16, and the two chain bodies 15 are rotatably connected to a plurality of material support frames on the opposite side.
[0023] Through the movement of the motor 2, the rotating shaft 3 can drive the sprocket 4 to rotate, and then the rotation of the cross-shaped mounting shell 41 can make the chain body 15 drive the material support frame to move, and then the movement of the material support frame can realize the transportation of the product, and the smooth movement of the chain body 15 can reduce the shaking and friction of the product during the transmission process, thereby reducing the risk of product damage. At the same time, the demand for manual handling and transmission is reduced through automated transmission, thereby reducing labor costs.
[0024] Embodiment 4 On the basis of the third embodiment, a cavity is opened inside the rotating shaft 3, and a plurality of slide grooves 31 are opened on the outer wall of the rotating shaft 3. The outer wall on one side of the slide groove 31 is connected through the outer wall of the cavity, and the inside of the cavity is rotatably connected with a bidirectional screw rod 5. The inner wall of the sprocket 4 is fixedly connected with a cross-shaped mounting shell 41, and the outer wall of the cross-shaped mounting shell 41 is slidably connected with the inside of the slide groove 31. A threaded hole 44 is opened in the middle of the cross-shaped mounting shell 41, and a temporary storage groove 42 is opened inside the cross-shaped mounting shell 41. A through hole is opened on the outer wall of the cross-shaped mounting shell 41, and the outer wall of the through hole is connected through the inside of the sprocket 4. A water absorption surface 43 is fixedly connected inside the through hole, and the outer wall of the water absorption surface 43 is in active contact with the inner ring wall of the chain body 15.
[0025] By forming a protective film between the sprocket 4 and the chain body 15 with the lubricant, the wear between the chain body 15 and the sprocket 4 can be reduced. At the same time, a good lubrication state can ensure the smooth operation of the chain body 15 during the conveying process, reduce the energy loss caused by friction and vibration, thereby improving the transmission efficiency, reducing the resistance encountered by the chain body 15 during the movement, so that the chain body 15 can complete the conveying task more easily and improve the overall work efficiency.
[0026] In actual use, firstly, by movably connecting the lifting block 16 with the base 18, the lifting block 16 can be replaced according to different products when the product is conveyed, so that the size of the lifting block 16 is more closely matched with the product, thereby avoiding the mismatch between the size and shape of the product and the lifting block 16, and causing the product to slip or tilt during the lifting process. Accordingly, the product and the lifting block 16 can fit closely and stably support various products, preventing the product from falling during the lifting process, thereby reducing the risk of product damage.
[0027] After the lifting block 16 is replaced, the distance between the two chain bodies 15 can be adjusted according to the width of the product. First, the operator pulls the limit rod 56 with his hand, and then through the movement of the limit rod 56, the magnet 57 can be driven to leave the top of the magnetic ring 54, thereby releasing the connection between the magnet 57 and the limit rod 56, and the fixation of the handle 55 can be released. Since the magnetic ring 54 is arranged around the rotating rod, the magnet 57 can be connected to the magnetic ring 54 when the handle 55 drives the limit rod 56 to rotate to any position, thereby fixing the handle 55. By fixing the handle 55, it is avoided that the two-way screw rod 5 rotates when the handle 55 does not need to drive the two-way screw rod 5 to move, thereby affecting the distance between the two sprocket wheels 4. Correspondingly, it is convenient to fix the handle 55, thereby increasing the stability of the two-way screw rod 5 and improving the stability of the transportation of the chain body 15.
[0028] After releasing the fixation of the handle 55, the operator can hold the handle 55 and rotate it, and then the rotation of the handle 55 can drive the rotating rod to drive the driving wheel 52 to rotate, and through the meshing connection between the driving wheel 52 and the driven wheel 51, the driven wheel 51 can be driven to rotate when the driving wheel 52 rotates, and then the rotation of the driven wheel 51 can make the bidirectional screw rod 5 move accordingly, and then through the rotation of the bidirectional screw rod 5, the two threaded holes 44 can drive the cross-shaped mounting shell 41 to move on the bidirectional screw rod 5, and then through the movement of the cross-shaped mounting shell 41, the sprocket 4 can be driven to move on the rotating shaft 3, so as to adjust the distance between the two chain bodies 15 according to the product, so that the chain body 15 can adapt to products of different widths and achieve a wider range of applications. At the same time, on the production line, when it is necessary to process products of different specifications, the spacing of the chain bodies 15 can be quickly adjusted, reducing the complexity and time cost of replacing equipment or adjusting the production line.
[0029] After the distance between the chain bodies 15 and the lifting blocks 16 are adjusted, the product can be placed on the material support frame connected to one side of the chain body 15, and the motor 2 can be started. Then, through the movement of the motor 2, the rotating shaft 3 can drive the sprocket 4 to rotate, and then the rotation of the cross-shaped mounting shell 41 can be used to make the chain body 15 drive the material support frame to move, and then the material support frame can be moved to realize the transportation of the product. The smooth movement of the chain body 15 reduces the shaking and friction of the product during the transmission process, thereby reducing the risk of product damage. At the same time, automated transmission reduces the need for manual handling and transmission, thereby reducing labor costs.
[0030] When the product moves to the top of the lifting block 16, the electric eye arranged on the base 18 can sense the material and transmit the signal to the cylinder 17. At this time, the cylinder 17 can work, and then through the work of the cylinder 17, the base 18 and the lifting block 16 can be pushed upward, so that the lifting block 16 pushes the product upward. The electric eye, as a high-precision sensor, can accurately identify and locate the product, ensuring that the lifting operation of the cylinder 17 is carried out on the correct target, thereby improving the product transmission efficiency.
[0031] When the chain body 15 rotates on the sprocket 4, it can come into contact with the water absorption surface 43. At this time, through the setting of the water absorption surface 43, the lubricant in the temporary storage groove 42 can be transferred to the chain body 15, and then a protective film is formed between the sprocket 4 and the chain body 15 by the lubricant, which can reduce the wear between the chain body 15 and the sprocket 4. At the same time, a good lubrication state can ensure the smooth operation of the chain body 15 during the conveying process, reduce the energy loss caused by friction and vibration, thereby improving the transmission efficiency, reducing the resistance encountered by the chain body 15 during the movement, so that the chain body 15 can complete the conveying task more easily and improve the overall work efficiency.
[0032] It should be noted that: by opening the piston rod on one side of the cross-shaped mounting shell 41 , lubricant can be added into the temporary storage tank 42 .
[0033] By installing straightening plates 13 on both sides of the chain conveyor equipment body 1, the product can be prevented from being deviated or scattered during the conveying process. Accordingly, the setting of the straightening plates 13 helps to stably convey the product, thereby reducing the downtime caused by product scattering, blockage or failure, and further improving the overall operation efficiency of the conveyor line.
[0034] By setting the tensioning structure 11, a certain pre-tightening force can be provided to the chain body 15, so that sufficient friction is generated between the chain body 15 and the sprocket 4, thereby ensuring that the chain body 15 can operate normally and preventing the chain body 15 from jumping or falling off due to relaxation, thereby further improving the transportation stability of the chain body 15.
[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A multifunctional chain conveying equipment, characterized in that: The multifunctional chain conveying device comprises: a chain conveying device body (1), a tensioning structure (11) movably mounted on the left side of an outer wall of one side of the chain conveying device body (1), a protective cover (12) movably mounted on the left side of an outer wall at the top of the chain conveying device body (1), bottom plates (14) movably mounted on the outer walls on both sides of the chain conveying device body (1), straightening plates (13) movably mounted on the outer walls at the tops of the two bottom plates (14), and protruding plates fixedly connected to opposite sides of the two straightening plates (13).
2. A multifunctional chain conveyor device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer wall at the bottom of the chain conveyor body (1) is fixedly connected to a support leg, a support plate is fixedly connected between the two support legs, a fixing plate is fixedly connected to the outside of the right sides of the two support rods, a cylinder (17) is fixedly connected to the top of the fixing plate, an output end of the cylinder (17) is fixedly connected to a base (18), a lifting block (16) is movably connected to the outer wall at the top of the base (18), and an electric eye is provided on the outer wall at the top of the base (18).
3. The multifunctional chain conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A motor (2) is fixedly connected to the right side of the outer wall of the chain conveyor device body (1); the output end of the motor (2) is rotatably connected to the inside of the chain conveyor device body (1); the output end of the motor (2) is fixedly connected to a rotating shaft (3); one end of the rotating shaft (3) is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the chain conveyor device body (1); there are two rotating shafts (3); a sprocket (4) is slidably connected to the outer wall of the rotating shaft (3); and the outer walls of the two sprockets (4) are meshingly connected to the chain body (15).
4. A multifunctional chain conveying device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The two chain bodies (15) are movably plugged into the outer wall of the lifting block (16), and a plurality of material support frames are rotatably connected to opposite sides of the two chain bodies (15).
5. The multifunctional chain conveying device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A cavity is provided inside the rotating shaft (3), a plurality of slide grooves (31) are provided on the outer wall of the rotating shaft (3), the outer wall of one side of the slide groove (31) is connected through the outer wall of the cavity, a bidirectional screw rod (5) is rotatably connected inside the cavity, and a cross-shaped mounting shell (41) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the sprocket wheel (4).
6. A multifunctional chain conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer wall of the cross-shaped mounting shell (41) is slidably connected to the inside of the slide groove (31), a threaded hole (44) is provided in the middle of the cross-shaped mounting shell (41), a temporary storage groove (42) is provided inside the cross-shaped mounting shell (41), a through hole is provided on the outer wall of the cross-shaped mounting shell (41), the outer wall of the through hole is connected to the inside of the sprocket (4), a water absorption surface (43) is fixedly connected to the inside of the through hole, and the outer wall of the water absorption surface (43) is in active contact with the inner ring wall of the chain body (15).
7. The multifunctional chain conveying device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A mounting plate (53) is fixedly connected to the middle of the slide groove (31), a rotating rod is rotatably connected to the inside of the mounting plate (53), a driving wheel (52) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bottom of the rotating rod, a driven wheel (51) is meshingly connected to the outer wall of the driving wheel (52), the axis of the driven wheel (51) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the bidirectional screw rod (5), and the outer wall of the bidirectional screw rod (5) is threadedly connected to the inner wall of the threaded hole (44).
8. The multifunctional chain conveying device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A circular groove is formed on the outer wall of the top of the mounting plate (53) near the outer side of the rotating rod, a magnetic ring (54) is fixedly connected to the inside of the circular groove, a handle (55) is fixedly connected to the outer wall of the rotating rod, a protruding block is fixedly connected to the outer wall of one side of the handle (55), a limit rod (56) is slidably connected to the inside of the protruding block, a magnetic block (57) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the limit rod (56), and the outer wall of the bottom of the magnetic block (57) is attracted to the outer wall of the top of the magnetic ring (54) at different levels.
9. A method for using a multifunctional chain conveyor device, which is implemented based on the multifunctional chain conveyor device described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and the method for using the multifunctional chain conveyor device comprises the following steps: Step 1: First, the lifting block (16) and the chain body (15) are adjusted according to different products; Step 2: Start the motor (2), and then the movement of the motor (2) causes the rotating shaft (3) to drive the sprocket (4) to rotate, so that the chain body (15) can transport the product; Step 3: When the product moves to the top of the lifting block (16), the electric eye provided on the base (18) senses the material and transmits a signal to the cylinder (17), so that the cylinder (17) pushes the product upward.
