Automated Cover-Opening and Connector-Replacing Device for Chemical Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-tech industries, chemical containers pose risks of toxic substance leakage and industrial safety accidents due to improper operation or equipment failure, despite personnel wearing protective gear, highlighting the need for automated solutions to prevent such incidents.

Innovation Solution

An automatic cover-opening and connector-replacing device is developed, comprising a lifting device, cover-opening device, and liquid-pumping device with unique structural configurations, including rotary motors, screw motors, and image capture technology, to enable precise and automated operations on chemical containers, reducing manual intervention and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual operation is used to open covers and replace connectors on chemical containers, then operational flexibility is maintained, but the risk of toxic substance leakage and safety accidents increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmanual operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs operations automatically without requiring continuous human intervention. The robotic arm autonomously positions itself, the cover-opening device automatically opens covers, and the liquid-pumping device self-regulates to replace connectors, making the system serve itself through automated control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated robotic system comprising a robotic arm, cover-opening device with screw motors, and liquid-pumping device. This substitution eliminates direct human contact with hazardous chemicals while maintaining operational capability through automated mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If automated cover-opening and connector-replacing device is implemented, then safety against toxic substance leakage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidautomation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system is divided into distinct functional modules: a robotic arm for positioning, a cover-opening device with screw motors for opening covers, and a liquid-pumping device for connector replacement. Each module operates independently but coordinates through the control unit, allowing complex functionality to be achieved through simpler, modular components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic arm and associated devices are designed to perform multiple functions - positioning, cover opening, connector replacement, and liquid pumping - all through a single integrated automated system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate devices, managing complexity while achieving comprehensive automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If precise positioning and synchronized movement are achieved through lifting device and rotary motor, then operational accuracy is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpositioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses image capture devices to detect the positions of covers and connectors on chemical containers. This visual feedback is processed by the control unit to automatically adjust the robotic arm's positioning and the lifting device's height, achieving precise positioning through closed-loop control rather than complex mechanical positioning systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the image capture devices and the robotic arm/lifting device. It processes visual information and translates it into coordinated movement commands, simplifying the positioning system by using software-based coordination rather than complex mechanical linkages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The device effectively prevents industrial safety accidents by ensuring precise and automated operations on chemical containers, minimizing the risk of toxic substance leakage and enhancing operational safety through accurate positioning and synchronized movement of components.

Implementation Method 1

a rotary motor (21) connected to said fixing bracket (22) for actuating said fixing bracket (22) to rotate correspondingly so as to form a gyration space (P)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

a screw (32) driven by said screw motor (31), said screw (32) capable of rotating through said fixing bracket (22), and a cover-opening fixture (33) provided at a bottom of said screw (32) correspondingly, wherein said screw motor (31) actuates said screw (32) to rotate correspondingly, and said screw (32) further drives said cover-opening fixture (33) to move up and down

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentUS10435287B2Automatic cover-opening and connector-replacing device for chemical container
Publication Date: 2019.10.08 MARKETECH INT
  • US10435287B2 patent drawing
  • US10435287B2 patent drawing
  • US10435287B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An automatic cover-opening and connector-replacing device for chemical container is disclosed. The device solves the problems of toxic substance leakage and even industrial safety accidents like gas explosions due to aging equipment during the maintenance by operating personnel in high-risk operation areas. The automatic cover-opening and connector-replacing device for chemical container mainly includes a machine, a lifting device provided inside the machine, a cover-opening device connected with the lifting device and a liquid-pumping device connected with the lifting device. The cover-opening device is provided for assembling and disassembling the internal cover of a chemical container and the liquid-pumping device is provided for pumping the content of the chemical container where the lifting device is provided for adjusting the distance between the cover-opening device, liquid-pumping device and chemical container.