Mobile Carriage Rollers With Reinforcing Elements Against Thermal Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport systems for automatic work machines experience overheating of rollers due to prolonged use, significant accelerations, and heavy products, leading to material dilation and unwanted radial/axial play, which compromises the coupling and rotational efficiency of the rollers on bearings.

Innovation Solution

The transport system incorporates reinforcing elements friction-coupled to the rollers, made of metal, which prevent material dilation and maintain precise coupling with rotation shafts, even under high stress and speed conditions, using cylindrical friction-coupling seating with a specific friction value to ensure stable contact with guide profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If rollers are made of plastic material and operated for long working times or at high speeds with significant accelerations, then the transport system can function continuously, but the rollers overheat and dilate causing radial and axial play

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation timeVSAvoidroller coupling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the rollers from plastic to metal, which has different thermal expansion characteristics and higher thermal conductivity. This parameter change allows the rollers to withstand prolonged operation and high speeds without overheating and dilating, thereby maintaining reliable coupling with the rotation shafts and eliminating radial and axial play.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If rollers are made of plastic material and subjected to heavy product weights, then the transport system can handle various loads, but the roller coupling with bearings loosens due to stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload handling capabilityVSAvoidcoupling strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the rollers from plastic to metal, which has superior mechanical strength and stiffness properties. This parameter change enables the rollers to maintain strong coupling with the bearings under heavy product weights, preventing loosening and maintaining coupling strength while preserving adaptability to handle various loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If rollers operate with significant accelerations and decelerations, then the transport system can respond dynamically, but the rollers overheat and lose rotational effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration responseVSAvoidrotational effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the rollers from plastic to metal, which has higher thermal conductivity and heat capacity. This parameter change allows the rollers to dissipate heat more effectively during significant accelerations and decelerations, preventing overheating and maintaining rotational effectiveness while preserving dynamic speed response capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prevents undesired radial and axial play, maintaining the rollers' coupling with rotation shafts and guide profiles, enhancing rotational effectiveness and reducing wear, even under prolonged use, high speeds, and heavy loads.

Implementation Method 1

The transport system comprises, for each roller, a reinforcing element friction-coupled to at least a part of the main portions of the external lateral walls of the rollers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3823919B1Transport system with a mobile carriage for the transport of products along a guide path
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 MARCHESINI GROUP SPA
  • EP3823919B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3823919B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3823919B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The transport system comprises a guide path (1) and at least a mobile carriage (2) for transport of products movable along the guide path (1). The guide path (1) comprises a first guide profile (11) and a second guide profile (12). A first pair (30) of rollers (31, 32) is mounted rotatably on a first rotation shaft (51) borne by the carriage (2), so as to be able to engage the first guide profile (11). A second pair (40) of rollers (41, 42) is rotatably mounted on the second rotation shaft (52) so as to be able to engage the second guide profile (12). For each roller (31, 32) of the first pair (30) of rollers (31, 32) and for each roller (41, 42) of the second pair (40) of rollers (41, 42), a reinforcing element (5,6, 7, 8) is provided which is friction-coupled to at least a part of the main portions (310, 320, 410, 420) of the external lateral walls of the rollers (31, 32, 41, 42).