Abutment Module Pivoting to Reduce Friction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic processing and conveying systems face substantial friction and high force requirements when lowering an abutment member due to the pressing force exerted by objects, leading to increased effort and friction during movement.
Innovation Solution
The abutment module incorporates a guide means with a guide track and pivotal connection to allow the abutment member to pivot away from the object's movement direction during lowering, reducing friction and enabling the abutment member to be moved downward within the movement plane, along with a force transmission system like a lever transmission to amplify the driving force, allowing smaller and more compact setting members to be used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the abutment member is lowered vertically into the path of motion, then the abutment member can effectively stop objects, but substantial friction and high force effort are generated during lowering
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment member is given the ability to pivot dynamically during lowering movement. Instead of rigid vertical lowering, the member can rotate about a pivot point, allowing the contact point to move along the member's length. This dynamic adjustment reduces friction by optimizing the contact geometry between the abutment member and moving objects during the lowering process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lowering movement is transformed from a single-dimensional vertical translation to a two-dimensional motion combining vertical translation and rotation. The abutment member follows a curved path during lowering, utilizing both vertical and rotational degrees of freedom. This dimensional change allows the member to maintain effective stopping capability while reducing friction through optimized contact dynamics.
2Device complexity
If the abutment member is lowered with vertical movement, then the structure is simple, but the friction and force requirements increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
A pivot connection is introduced to enable rotational movement of the abutment member during lowering. This simple mechanical element adds dynamic capability without significantly increasing structural complexity. The pivot allows the member to rotate naturally under load, reducing friction through optimized contact geometry while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot point acts as an intermediary element between the abutment member and the fixed structure. It mediates the transition from rigid vertical lowering to dynamic lowering with rotation, enabling friction reduction while adding minimal structural complexity. The pivot serves as a simple mechanical mediator that transforms the motion characteristics without requiring complex mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the abutment member remains in the movement plane, then object handling is effective, but friction during lowering movement is substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment member is equipped with dynamic pivoting capability that allows it to adjust its orientation during lowering. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the contact point and contact angle with moving objects, maintaining effective object handling while reducing friction. The member can pivot to follow the natural flow of objects, minimizing energy loss through friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact parameters (contact point position, contact angle) are changed dynamically through pivoting during lowering. By varying these parameters in response to the lowering motion and object flow, the system maintains effective object handling while optimizing for reduced friction. The contact geometry is continuously adjusted to minimize energy loss.
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
This solution reduces the force needed to lower the abutment member and minimizes friction, enabling efficient operation in continuously operating systems with smaller and more compact components, while maintaining effective object handling and conveying.
Implementation Method 1
a guide means is provided having at least one guide track, on which the abutment member is positively guided at a first point between the abutment position and the release position
Implementation Method 2
the abutment member being so pivotally connected at a second point remote from the first point with a setting element that in the case of a lowering movement of the abutment member between the abutment position and the release position a pivoting of the abutment member takes place in the working movement direction away from the object
Implementation Method 3
along with a force transmission system like a lever transmission to amplify the driving force
Data Source
AI summary
An abutment module, in particular for automatic processing and conveying systems, comprises an abutment member arranged on a main unit for objects moving in a plane of motion in a current working movement direction, such abutment member being able to be shifted by of a setting member between an abutment position located in the plane of motion and a release position lying underneath the plane of motion, and a guide is provided having at least one guide track, on which the abutment member is positively guided at a first point between the abutment position and the release position, the abutment member being so pivotally connected at a second point remote from the first point with a setting element that in the case of a lowering movement of the abutment member between the abutment position and the release position a pivoting of the abutment member takes place in the working movement direction.