Carrier Basket Support With Pivoting Twin Cars for Higher Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems for transporting food items in restaurants face limitations in weight capacity due to the transfer of load from carrier baskets to a single wheeled car, which restricts the amount of weight that can be transported.
Innovation Solution
A carrier basket support system that utilizes two cars connected via a pivoting and sliding mechanism, allowing the distance between the cars to adjust during curves, with support rollers and pivoting connections to maintain stability and horizontal orientation of the basket, enhancing weight-carrying capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the carrier basket is supported by a single car, then the device complexity is reduced, but the weight capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into multiple cars (at least two cars) that each carry a portion of the load. Each car is independently connected to the carrier basket via pivoting connections, allowing the load to be distributed across multiple support points rather than concentrated on a single car, thereby increasing weight capacity without requiring a completely new support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cars are merged into a single support system that collectively supports the carrier basket. The cars are connected through a common pivoting mechanism that allows them to function as an integrated unit, sharing the load-bearing responsibility and achieving increased weight capacity while maintaining structural coherence.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between cars is fixed, then the structure is simpler, but the system cannot adapt to curved pathways
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between cars incorporates pivoting joints that allow the distance and angle between cars to dynamically adjust as the system traverses curved pathways. This dynamic capability enables the support system to adapt to various path geometries while maintaining stability, with the pivoting connections allowing automatic adjustment of car positioning without external control.
3Weight of moving object
If the carrier basket is supported by two cars with pivoting connections, then the weight capacity increases, but the complexity of maintaining stability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting connections are designed to automatically maintain the carrier basket in a horizontal orientation through self-adjusting mechanics. The pivoting joints inherently compensate for tilting and angular deviations, allowing the system to self-correct and maintain stability without requiring active control systems or additional stabilization mechanisms.
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 system significantly increases the weight capacity of carrier baskets by distributing the load across two cars, ensuring stability and maintaining horizontal orientation during curved pathways, thereby supporting heavier loads.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier basket support has a support plate connected to the first car via a pivoting connection
Implementation Method 2
connected to the second car by a pivoting and sliding connection such that the first and second cars are pivotable relative to the support plate and a distance between the first car and the second car can change during traversal of curves along the pathway
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of support rollers are located on the support plate, at least one of which is configured to contact the back support
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier basket support and stabilizing system for a carrier basket having increased weight carrying capacity is provided. The system includes a plurality of cars configured to travel along a pathway, with at least some support groups including two of the cars having a carrier basket support connected thereto. The carrier basket support has a support plate connected to the first car via a pivoting connection and connected to the second car by a pivoting and sliding connection such that the cars can pivot relative to the support plate and a distance between the first and second cars can change during traversal of curves along the pathway. A support connection on the support plate is configured for connection to a mating connection on a back support of the carrier basket to allow pivoting of the carrier basket so its support surface can remain generally horizontal during movement on the pathway.