Axle Lock Assembly With Lateral Bushing Force for Roller Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems face operational challenges due to relative movement between roller shafts and motorized rollers, leading to instability and potential misalignment, which affects the smooth operation and efficiency of material handling processes.
Innovation Solution
An axle lock assembly comprising a first and second plate with a bushing mechanism that creates lateral forces to securely hold roller shafts in place, preventing rotation and ensuring stability during operation, by using guiding features and geometrical shapes to accommodate various shaft configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If roller shafts are placed on conveyor frames without locking mechanisms, then installation is simple and device complexity is low, but relative movement occurs between shafts and motorized rollers causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a locking element with lateral movement capability, guiding features on the shaft, and engagement surfaces. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system stability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding features and engagement surfaces are pre-configured on the shaft and locking element during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that when the shaft is installed, the locking mechanism is already positioned to prevent relative movement, eliminating the need for complex adjustment procedures during installation.
2Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to prevent relative movement, then stability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to automatically engage with the shaft through its lateral movement capability and guiding features. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable locking without requiring complex external actuation systems, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary between the shaft and the motorized roller, providing a simple mechanical connection that prevents relative movement. This intermediary component is straightforward to manufacture and assemble, ensuring ease of production while achieving the desired reliability.
3Productivity
If simple shaft support is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but misalignment and operational disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding features provide localized precision at the critical interface between the shaft and locking mechanism, ensuring proper alignment without requiring the entire system to be complex. This localized quality improvement maintains ease of operation while preventing misalignment that would reduce productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose an axle lock assembly comprising a first plate with a first aperture, a second plate with a second aperture, a shaft, wherein the shaft is inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture and a bush. When the bushing is in contact with the first plate and the second plate, the bush creates a lateral force to move the first plate and the second plate in opposite directions to secure the shaft.