Carousel Machine Footing Design for Operator Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carousel machines for processing containers occupy significant radial space and have vertical supporting feet that hinder operator movement around the machine.
Innovation Solution
The carousel machine features a footing design with monolithic, U-shaped tubular bodies that are cantilevered from the supporting structure, using removable connection means and handling mechanisms to minimize encumbrance and allow for adjustable positioning, eliminating vertical supporting feet and enhancing operator mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If vertical supporting feet are used to support the footing, then structural stability is improved, but operator movement around the machine is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the vertical supporting feet from the footing structure. The footing is redesigned to be supported directly by the supporting structure through ledges, extracting the harmful vertical feet that obstructed operator movement while maintaining stability through the ledge-based support system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ledges extend outward from the supporting structure to support footings, then processing stations can be positioned around the carousel, but radial space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The footing structure is designed to nest within the radial space of the supporting structure. The ledges extend outward but the overall footing configuration is compact, allowing processing stations to be positioned around the carousel while minimizing the radial footprint of each footing.
3Ease of manufacture
If removable connection means are used to attach footings to the supporting structure, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but connection reliability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The removable connection means are designed with preliminary positioning features that guide the connection process. The ledges and supporting feet include alignment features that ensure proper positioning before final attachment, maintaining connection reliability while enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A carousel machine for processing containers, which comprises a supporting structure for supporting a rotating carousel for the conveyance of containers to be processed which is provided, at the peripheral region of the carousel, with at least one station for processing the containers in transit on the carousel, which is supported by a respective footing which is connected to the supporting structure; the footing is mounted in a cantilever fashion jutting out from the peripheral region of the supporting structure and comprises a pair of monolithic supporting elements; each one of the monolithic elements comprises a respective tubular body, which has, on its outer lateral surface, at least one longitudinal seat which defines at least one abutment region for the coupling of removable connection structure and for the connection of handling structure for moving the processing station with respect to the carousel.