A dual platform transport device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of transportation operation, and specifically discloses a double-platform transportation device, which comprises a horizontal moving feeding platform, a lifting feeding platform and a transposition driving module for driving the two feeding platforms to alternately change positions, wherein the lifting feeding platform is provided with a plurality of clamping assemblies for rotating and clamping a material disc downward. The double-platform transportation device can effectively solve the problem that the material disc is prone to shaking or separating from the platform when the two platforms intersect. Further, if a side pushing cylinder is used to laterally clamp and fix the material disc, the impact force of the side pushing cylinder is large, the material disc is prone to deformation after long-term use, resulting in uneven surface, increased positioning difficulty, and the side pushing is prone to shaking out the material disc due to uneven stress, causing the material to spill. The clamping assembly buckles and flattens the material disc from top to bottom, so that the levelness of the material disc is corrected, facilitating subsequent positioning and material taking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of transportation operation technology, and in particular to a dual-platform transportation device. Background Technology

[0002] In automated production and logistics systems, dual-platform alternating feeding mechanisms are widely used due to their efficient and continuous material handling capabilities. These systems typically employ two independently moving platforms that alternate horizontally to achieve continuous material supply. However, in actual operation, when the two platforms intersect horizontally, one platform needs to make a vertical avoidance movement (up or down) to prevent interference. This movement can easily cause the material trays on the platforms to shift or even detach from the platforms due to inertia or vibration, severely affecting the stability and reliability of the feeding process.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing dual-platform alternating feeding mechanism to solve the problem that the material tray is prone to shaking or falling off the platform when the two platforms meet.

[0004] The information disclosed in this background section is included only to enhance the understanding of the context of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0005] One objective of this invention is to provide a dual-platform transport device that can effectively solve the problem of material trays easily shaking or detaching from the platforms when the two platforms intersect.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a dual-platform transportation device, including a transverse feeding platform, a lifting feeding platform, and a displacement drive module that drives the two feeding platforms to interchange positions.

[0007] The lifting feeding platform is equipped with several clamping components for rotating and clamping the material tray downwards.

[0008] Optionally, the transposition drive module includes:

[0009] A first transverse linear drive mechanism, the drive end of which is connected to the transverse feeding platform, is used to drive the transverse feeding platform to reciprocate in the horizontal direction.

[0010] A lifting linear drive mechanism, the drive end of which is connected to the lifting feeding platform, is used to drive the lifting feeding platform to move up and down to avoid the lateral feeding platform;

[0011] The second transverse linear drive mechanism is arranged parallel to the first transverse linear drive mechanism, and the drive end of the second transverse linear drive mechanism is connected to the lifting linear drive mechanism. It is used to drive the lifting linear drive mechanism to drive the lifting feeding platform to reciprocate in the horizontal direction, so as to cooperate with the first transverse linear drive mechanism to realize the alternation between the two feeding platforms.

[0012] Optionally, the transposition drive module further includes a guide rail bracket for mounting the two feeding platforms and the transposition drive module;

[0013] Both feeding platforms are located above the guide rail bracket, and the two transverse linear drive mechanisms are located on both sides of the guide rail bracket.

[0014] Optionally, the first transverse linear drive mechanism is fixed to the first side of the guide rail bracket, and the transverse feeding platform is slidably connected to the first side of the guide rail bracket.

[0015] Optionally, the second lateral linear drive mechanism is fixed to the second side of the guide rail bracket, and the lifting linear drive mechanism is slidably connected to the second side of the guide rail bracket.

[0016] Optionally, the clamping assembly includes:

[0017] A rotating hook plate, the upper end of which is provided with an inverted L-shaped pressing part for pressing the material tray, and the middle part of the rotating hook plate is rotatably connected to the lifting feeding platform around a horizontal X-axis.

[0018] A U-shaped connecting rod, one end of which is hinged to the lower end of the rotating hook plate;

[0019] A sliding push rod, one end of which is slidably connected to the lifting feeding platform along the horizontal Y-axis, and the other end of which is hinged to the other end of the U-shaped connecting rod;

[0020] in,

[0021] When the sliding push rod is driven to slide relative to the lifting feeding platform and approach the rotating hook plate, it drives the inverted L-shaped pressing part to rotate toward the material tray and press the edge of the material tray.

[0022] When the sliding push rod is driven to slide away from the rotating hook plate relative to the lifting feeding platform, it drives the inverted L-shaped pressing part to rotate away from the material tray and to the edge position of the material tray.

[0023] Optionally, the rotating hook plate is provided with an arc-shaped guide groove with the X-axis as the central axis, and the lifting feeding platform is provided with a limiting post inserted into the arc-shaped guide groove.

[0024] Optionally, the end face of the inverted L-shaped clamping part near the material tray is an inclined surface, and the distance from the inclined surface to the center point of the material tray gradually increases from top to bottom.

[0025] Optionally, the clamping assembly further includes:

[0026] An opening spring is sleeved on the sliding push rod and is used to drive the sliding push rod to slide away from the rotating hook plate relative to the lifting feeding platform, so that the inverted L-shaped clamping part rotates to disengage from the material tray.

[0027] Optionally, the lifting feeding platform is provided with a push rod receiving cavity for the sliding push rod to slide, and an air inlet channel communicating with each of the push rod receiving cavities;

[0028] The connection between the push rod receiving cavity and the inflation channel is located on the side of the sliding push rod away from the U-shaped connecting rod.

[0029] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: It provides a dual-platform transport device. Initially, the transverse feeding platform is located at the first station (feeding position), carrying the material tray and completing the current feeding task. The lifting feeding platform is located at the second station (standby position), and its clamping component fixes the other material tray, ready for position exchange. The specific position exchange process is as follows:

[0030] S10: The transverse feeding platform retracts.

[0031] After the transverse feeding platform completes the feeding, it is driven by the position change drive module to move horizontally from the first station to the second station.

[0032] S20: Lifting feeding platform avoidance and lifting

[0033] When the lateral feeding platform moves to the intersection area, the lifting feeding platform is controlled by the switching drive module to rise vertically first to avoid interference with the lateral feeding platform.

[0034] The clamping assembly keeps the tray fixed, preventing it from shaking or falling off due to lifting and lowering movements.

[0035] S30: The transverse feeding platform reaches the second workstation.

[0036] The transverse feeding platform moves completely to the second workstation and enters standby mode, waiting for the next feeding task.

[0037] S40: The lifting feeding platform descends and enters the first workstation.

[0038] The lifting feeding platform descends vertically from its raised position, returns to the horizontal movement path, and moves horizontally to the first workstation (the original position of the transverse feeding platform).

[0039] Upon reaching the first workstation, clamp the components and release the material tray to complete the material supply handover.

[0040] S50: Alternating Cycle

[0041] At this time, the lifting feeding platform is located at the first station (feeding position), and the transverse feeding platform is located at the second station (standby position).

[0042] During the next exchange, the two platforms move again according to the same logic to achieve continuous alternating material supply.

[0043] Therefore, the dual-platform transport device provided by this utility model can effectively solve the problem that the material tray is prone to shaking or falling off the platform when the two platforms meet;

[0044] Furthermore, if a side-push cylinder is used to clamp and fix the material tray laterally, the impact force of the side-push cylinder is relatively large. After long-term use, the material tray is prone to deformation, resulting in an uneven surface, which increases the difficulty of positioning. Moreover, the side-push cylinder is prone to vibrating out of the material tray due to uneven force, causing material to spill out. The clamping component of this utility model clamps and flattens the material tray from top to bottom, correcting the levelness of the material tray and facilitating subsequent positioning and material removal. Attached Figure Description

[0045] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the dual-platform transportation device provided in the embodiment;

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the clamping assembly provided in the embodiment;

[0048] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the dual-platform transport device provided in the embodiment.

[0049] In the picture:

[0050] 100. Material tray;

[0051] 1. Lateral feeding platform;

[0052] 2. Lifting feeding platform; 201. Push rod receiving cavity; 202. Inflation channel; 203. X-axis;

[0053] 3. Positioning drive module; 301. First transverse linear drive mechanism; 302. Lifting linear drive mechanism; 303. Second transverse linear drive mechanism; 304. Guide rail bracket;

[0054] 4. Clamping assembly; 401. Rotating hook plate; 4011. Inverted L-shaped clamping part; 4011a. Inclined surface; 4012. Arc-shaped guide groove; 402. U-shaped connecting rod; 403. Sliding push rod; 404. Clamping spring. Detailed Implementation

[0055] In this utility model, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of this utility model. The term "embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it specifically limit its independence or connection with other embodiments. In principle, in this utility model, as long as there are no technical contradictions or conflicts, the technical features mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any way to form corresponding implementable technical solutions.

[0056] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains; the use of related terms herein is merely for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0057] In the description of this utility model, the term "and / or" is used to describe the logical relationship between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A exists, B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously. Additionally, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" logical relationship.

[0058] In this invention, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual quantity, hierarchy, or order between these entities or operations.

[0059] Without further limitations, the use of terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” or other similar expressions in this invention is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, which does not exclude the presence of additional elements in a process, method, or product that includes the stated elements, such that a process, method, or product that includes a series of elements may include not only those defined elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, or product.

[0060] Similar to the understanding in the Examination Guidelines, in this utility model, expressions such as "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number; expressions such as "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this utility model, "multiple" means two or more (including two), and similar expressions related to "multiple" are also understood in this way, such as "multiple groups" and "multiple times," unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0061] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, the space-related expressions used, such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the specific embodiments or drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the specific embodiments of this utility model or for the reader's understanding, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific position, a specific orientation, or be constructed or operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this utility model.

[0062] Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "setting," as used in the description of the embodiments of this utility model, should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral setting; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0063] The direct drive mechanism in this invention can be a linear motor, a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a motor lead screw and slider assembly, etc.; the rotary drive mechanism can be a servo motor, a stepper motor, or a rotary cylinder, etc.

[0064] See Figure 1 This embodiment provides a dual-platform transportation device, including a transverse feeding platform 1, a lifting feeding platform 2, and a displacement drive module 3 that drives the two feeding platforms to interchange positions.

[0065] The lifting feeding platform 2 is equipped with several clamping components 4 for rotating downwards to clamp and fix the material tray 100.

[0066] In some other embodiments, several clamping components 4 may also be added to the transverse feeding platform 1 to prevent the material tray 100 from shifting when the transverse feeding platform 1 moves.

[0067] The dual-platform transport device provided by this utility model initially has the transverse feeding platform 1 located at the first station (feeding position), carrying the material tray 100 and completing the current feeding task. The lifting feeding platform 2 is located at the second station (standby position), with its clamping component 4 fixing the other material tray 100, ready for position exchange. The specific position exchange process is as follows:

[0068] S10: The transverse feeding platform 1 retracts.

[0069] After the transverse feeding platform 1 completes the feeding, it is driven by the position drive module 3 to move horizontally from the first station to the second station.

[0070] S20: Lifting feeding platform 2 avoids and rises

[0071] When the transverse feeding platform 1 moves to the intersection area, the lifting feeding platform 2 is controlled by the switching drive module 3 to rise vertically first to avoid interference with the transverse platform.

[0072] The clamping component 4 keeps the tray 100 fixed to prevent it from shaking or falling off due to the lifting and lowering motion.

[0073] S30: The transverse feeding platform 1 reaches the second workstation.

[0074] The transverse feeding platform 1 moves completely to the second workstation and enters standby mode, waiting for the next feeding task.

[0075] S40: The lifting feeding platform 2 descends and enters the first working position.

[0076] The lifting feeding platform 2 descends vertically from the raised position, returns to the horizontal movement path, and moves horizontally to the first workstation (the original position of the transverse feeding platform 1).

[0077] Upon reaching the first workstation, clamping component 4 releases material tray 100, completing the material supply handover.

[0078] S50: Alternating Cycle

[0079] At this time, the lifting feeding platform 2 is located at the first work position (feeding position), and the horizontal feeding platform 1 is located at the second work position (standby position).

[0080] During the next exchange, the two platforms move again according to the same logic to achieve continuous alternating material supply.

[0081] Therefore, the dual-platform transport device provided by this utility model can effectively solve the problem that the material tray 100 is prone to shaking or falling off the platform when the two platforms meet.

[0082] In this embodiment, the transposition drive module 3 includes:

[0083] The first transverse linear drive mechanism 301 is connected to the transverse feeding platform 1 at its drive end, and is used to drive the transverse feeding platform 1 to reciprocate in the horizontal direction.

[0084] A lifting linear drive mechanism 302 is provided, the drive end of which is connected to the lifting feeding platform 2 and is used to drive the lifting feeding platform 2 to move up and down to avoid the transverse feeding platform 1.

[0085] The second transverse linear drive mechanism 303 is arranged parallel to the first transverse linear drive mechanism 301, and the drive end of the second transverse linear drive mechanism 303 is connected to the lifting linear drive mechanism 302. It is used to drive the lifting linear drive mechanism 302 to drive the lifting feeding platform 2 to reciprocate in the horizontal direction, so as to cooperate with the first transverse linear drive mechanism 301 to realize the alternation of the two feeding platforms.

[0086] The guide rail bracket 304 is used to install the two feeding platforms and the shifting drive module 3. The two feeding platforms are located above the guide rail bracket 304, and the two transverse linear drive mechanisms are arranged on both sides of the guide rail bracket 304.

[0087] in,

[0088] The first transverse linear drive mechanism 301 is fixed to the first side of the guide rail bracket 304, and the transverse feeding platform 1 is slidably connected to the first side of the guide rail bracket 304;

[0089] The second lateral linear drive mechanism 303 is fixed to the second side of the guide rail bracket 304, and the lifting linear drive mechanism 302 is slidably connected to the second side of the guide rail bracket 304.

[0090] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 In this embodiment, the clamping assembly 4 includes:

[0091] A rotating hook plate 401 is provided at its upper end with an inverted L-shaped pressing part 4011 for pressing the material tray 100. The middle part of the rotating hook plate 401 is rotatably connected to the lifting feeding platform 2 about a horizontal X-axis 203.

[0092] U-shaped connecting rod 402, one end of which is hinged to the lower end of the rotating hook plate 401;

[0093] A sliding push rod 403, one end of which is slidably connected to the lifting feeding platform 2 along the horizontal Y-axis, and the other end of which is hinged to the other end of the U-shaped connecting rod 402;

[0094] in,

[0095] When the sliding push rod 403 is driven to slide relative to the lifting feeding platform 2 and approach the rotating hook plate 401, it drives the inverted L-shaped pressing part 4011 to rotate toward the material tray 100 to press the edge of the material tray 100.

[0096] When the sliding push rod 403 is driven to slide relative to the lifting feeding platform 2 away from the rotating hook plate 401, it drives the inverted L-shaped pressing part 4011 to rotate away from the material tray 100 and to the edge position away from the material tray 100.

[0097] Optionally, the rotating hook plate 401 is provided with an arc-shaped guide groove 4012 with the X-axis 203 as the central axis, and the lifting feeding platform 2 is provided with a limiting post inserted into the arc-shaped guide groove 4012. The limiting post and the arc-shaped guide groove 4012 cooperate to improve the rotational stability of the rotating hook plate 401.

[0098] In this embodiment, the end face of the inverted L-shaped clamping part 4011 near the material tray 100 is an inclined surface 4011a, and the distance from the inclined surface 4011a to the center point of the material tray 100 gradually increases from top to bottom. The inclined surface 4011a is designed without conforming to the shape of the edge of the material tray 100. As long as the inclined surface 4011a can contact the edge of the material tray 100, it can clamp the material tray 100 obliquely downward. The two clamping components 4 are arranged in pairs, clamping the material tray 100 obliquely downward from both sides, thus achieving a stable clamping of the material tray 100.

[0099] In this embodiment, the clamping assembly 4 further includes an opening spring 404, which is sleeved on the sliding push rod 403 and is used to drive the sliding push rod 403 to slide away from the rotating hook plate 401 relative to the lifting feeding platform 2, so that the inverted L-shaped pressing part 4011 rotates to disengage from the material tray 100.

[0100] It should be noted that if a side-push cylinder is used to clamp and fix the material tray laterally, the impact force of the side-push cylinder is relatively large. After long-term use, the material tray is prone to deformation, resulting in an uneven surface, which increases the difficulty of positioning. In addition, the side-push cylinder is prone to vibrating out of the material tray due to uneven force, causing material to spill out. This utility model uses a clamping component 4 with an inclined surface 4011a to clamp and flatten the material tray from top to bottom, so as to correct the level of the material tray and facilitate subsequent positioning and material handling.

[0101] Furthermore, the interior of the lifting feeding platform 2 is provided with a push rod receiving cavity 201 for the sliding push rod 403 to slide, and an air inlet channel 202 communicating with each of the push rod receiving cavities 201;

[0102] The push rod receiving cavity 201 and the inflation channel 202 are connected at the side of the sliding push rod 403 away from the U-shaped connecting rod 402.

[0103] When high-pressure gas is introduced into the inflation channel 202, the high-pressure gas overcomes the elastic force of the clamping spring 404, forcing the sliding push rod 403 to slide relative to the lifting feeding platform 2 to close to the rotating hook plate 401, thereby driving the inverted L-shaped pressing part 4011 to rotate to press the material tray 100.

[0104] Furthermore, since each of the push rod receiving cavities 201 is simultaneously connected to the inflation channel 202, as long as gas is injected into the inflation channel 202, all clamping components 4 can be controlled to clamp the material tray 100 simultaneously, which greatly improves the synchronicity of the movement of the clamping components 4 at different positions and avoids the problem of the material tray 100 deforming or even falling off the platform due to uneven force caused by the inconsistent action sequence of each clamping component 4 during clamping.

[0105] Finally, it should be noted that although the above embodiments have been described in the text and drawings of this application, this should not limit the scope of patent protection of this application. Any technical solutions that are based on the essential concept of this application and utilize the content described in the text and drawings of this application, resulting in equivalent structural or procedural substitutions or modifications, as well as the direct or indirect application of the technical solutions of the above embodiments to other related technical fields, are all included within the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. A dual-platform transport device, characterized in that, It includes a transverse feeding platform (1), a lifting feeding platform (2), and a displacement drive module (3) that drives the two feeding platforms to interchange positions. The lifting feeding platform (2) is provided with several clamping components (4) for rotating downward to clamp and fix the material tray (100).

2. The dual-platform transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transposition drive module (3) includes: The first transverse linear drive mechanism (301) is connected to the transverse feeding platform (1) at its drive end, and is used to drive the transverse feeding platform (1) to reciprocate in the horizontal direction. A lifting linear drive mechanism (302) is provided, the drive end of which is connected to the lifting feeding platform (2) and is used to drive the lifting feeding platform (2) to move up and down to avoid the transverse feeding platform (1). The second transverse linear drive mechanism (303) is arranged parallel to the first transverse linear drive mechanism (301), and the drive end of the second transverse linear drive mechanism (303) is connected to the lifting linear drive mechanism (302). It is used to drive the lifting linear drive mechanism (302) to drive the lifting feeding platform (2) to reciprocate in the horizontal direction, so as to cooperate with the first transverse linear drive mechanism (301) to realize the alternation between the two feeding platforms.

3. The dual-platform transport device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transposition drive module (3) also includes a guide rail bracket (304) for mounting the two feeding platforms and the transposition drive module (3). Both feeding platforms are located above the guide rail bracket (304), and the two transverse linear drive mechanisms are located on both sides of the guide rail bracket (304).

4. The dual-platform transport device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first transverse linear drive mechanism (301) is fixed to the first side of the guide rail bracket (304), and the transverse feeding platform (1) is slidably connected to the first side of the guide rail bracket (304).

5. The dual-platform transport device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second transverse linear drive mechanism (303) is fixed to the second side of the guide rail bracket (304), and the lifting linear drive mechanism (302) is slidably connected to the second side of the guide rail bracket (304).

6. The dual-platform transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping assembly (4) includes: A rotating hook plate (401) is provided at its upper end with an inverted L-shaped pressing part (4011) for pressing the material tray (100), and the middle part of the rotating hook plate (401) is rotatably connected to the lifting feeding platform (2) around the horizontal X-axis (203). U-shaped connecting rod (402), one end of which is hinged to the lower end of the rotating hook plate (401); A sliding push rod (403) is provided, one end of which is slidably connected to the lifting feeding platform (2) along the horizontal Y-axis, and the other end of which is hinged to the other end of the U-shaped connecting rod (402). in, When the sliding push rod (403) is driven to slide relative to the lifting feeding platform (2) to near the rotating hook plate (401), it drives the inverted L-shaped pressing part (4011) to rotate toward the material tray (100) to press the edge of the material tray (100); When the sliding push rod (403) is driven to slide away from the lifting feeding platform (2) and move away from the rotating hook plate (401), it drives the inverted L-shaped pressing part (4011) to rotate away from the material tray (100) and move away from the edge of the material tray (100).

7. The dual-platform transport device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rotating hook plate (401) is provided with an arc-shaped guide groove (4012) with the X-axis (203) as the central axis, and the lifting feeding platform (2) is provided with a limiting post inserted into the arc-shaped guide groove (4012).

8. The dual-platform transport device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The inverted L-shaped pressing part (4011) has an inclined surface (4011a) on the end face near the material tray (100), and the distance from the inclined surface (4011a) to the center point of the material tray (100) gradually increases from top to bottom.

9. The dual-platform transport device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The clamping assembly (4) further includes: A clamping spring (404) is sleeved on the sliding push rod (403) to drive the sliding push rod (403) to slide away from the rotating hook plate (401) relative to the lifting feeding platform (2), so that the inverted L-shaped clamping part (4011) rotates to disengage from the material tray (100).

10. The dual-platform transport device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lifting feeding platform (2) is provided with a push rod receiving cavity (201) for the sliding push rod (403) to slide, and an air inlet channel (202) connected to each of the push rod receiving cavities (201). The push rod receiving cavity (201) and the air inlet channel (202) are connected at the side of the sliding push rod (403) away from the U-shaped connecting rod (402).

Images