Collapsible Conveyor Rack with Pivot and Retraction Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible conveyor racks are either too simple and prone to deformation or too complex, making them difficult to collapse efficiently and effectively, leading to space occupation issues and interference during the collapsing process.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible conveyor rack design featuring a bottom rack unit, a folding unit, a retracting unit, a driving mechanism, and a locking mechanism, which allows for quick adjustment and locking of the folding and retracting units relative to each other, supported by receiving support bars with notches and screw bolts, enabling rapid collapse without deformation or interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional conveyor racks are made non-collapsible, then structural stability is maintained, but space occupation increases significantly during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor rack is divided into multiple independent rack units that can be collapsed and stored separately. Each rack unit includes a frame body, conveyor, and support structures that can be independently folded, allowing the entire system to be compacted into a small space for transportation while maintaining structural integrity during use
Solution Approach 2:
The rack incorporates dynamic components including pivot connectors that allow rotation between rack units, retractable portions that can extend and contract, and folding support bars. These dynamic elements enable the rack to transition between expanded operational configuration and compact transportation configuration without deformation or interference
2Ease of operation
If simple folding structures are used for collapsible conveyor racks, then ease of collapse is improved, but component deformation and interference during collapsing operation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is equipped with release mechanisms that can be activated before collapsing to automatically disengage locking features and prepare the structure for folding. This preliminary action ensures that all components are ready for collapse in the correct sequence, preventing forced folding that could cause deformation or interference between parts
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates controlled parameter changes during collapse, including gradual angular adjustments of pivot connectors, staged retraction of support bars, and sequential folding of rack units. These controlled parameter changes ensure that stress is distributed evenly throughout the structure, preventing deformation while maintaining ease of operation
3Reliability
If complex structures are used for collapsible conveyor racks, then deformation and interference are avoided, but collapsing operation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The rack incorporates self-aligning features and guide structures that automatically position components correctly during the collapsing sequence. Weight distribution and gravitational forces are utilized to naturally guide the folding process, reducing the need for manual manipulation and minimizing collapsing time while maintaining structural reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows rack units and support structures to nest within each other during collapse, with larger components containing smaller ones in a hierarchical arrangement. This nesting configuration maximizes space efficiency and streamlines the collapsing process by reducing the number of discrete movement steps required
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 design facilitates quick and efficient collapsing, significantly reducing the occupied space while maintaining the conveyor in a loosened state, avoiding deformation and interference, and providing a simple yet effective structure for easy operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pivot connector, a folding unit comprising a pivot connector pivotally connected to the pivot connector of the bottom rack unit for allowing biasing of the folding unit relative to the bottom rack unit
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible conveyor rack for supporting a conveyor is disclosed to include a bottom rack unit including a frame body and a pivot connector, a folding unit including a pivot connector pivotally connected to the pivot connector of the bottom rack unit for allowing biasing of the folding unit relative to the bottom rack unit and a retractable portion connected to the pivot connector of the folding unit, a retracting unit including a retractable portion coupled to and retractable relative to the retractable portion of the folding unit, and a driving mechanism for moving the retracting unit relative to the folding unit.