Collapsible Machine Tool Enclosure with Flexible Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine tool enclosures are rigid and bulky, failing to effectively confine dust, debris, and runoff, and are not easily disassembled or stored for transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible enclosure for machine tools, comprising a waterproof pan with a collapsible frame and cover made of lightweight, flexible materials, allowing easy assembly and disassembly to create a dust- and waterproof environment that can be easily transported and stored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid walls or sides are used to create an enclosure for a machine tool, then the enclosure provides effective containment for dust and runoff, but the enclosure becomes bulky and difficult to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic collapsible structure. The side walls are made of flexible material that can be collapsed inward, allowing the enclosure to be compacted for storage and transport while maintaining its rigid containment form during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls are constructed from flexible material that can bend and collapse, replacing the traditional rigid structure. This flexible shell maintains containment effectiveness when erected but allows easy collapse for compact storage, resolving the contradiction between containment reliability and storage convenience.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If safety shields are added to machine tools to prevent injury, then operator safety is improved, but the bulk of the tool increases significantly and the shields cannot be easily removed and stored
Solution Approach 1:
The safety shield is transformed from a fixed permanent structure to a dynamic collapsible structure. The flexible side walls can be collapsed and the shield easily removed when not needed, while providing effective safety containment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure is divided into separate components including the pan, collapsible frame, and flexible side walls that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the safety shield to be easily removed and stored separately when not required.
3Reliability
If rigid enclosures are used to confine dust and debris, then containment effectiveness is improved, but the enclosure cannot be easily disassembled and packed away for transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is segmented into modular components: a pan, a collapsible frame structure, and flexible side walls. These segments can be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining effective dust and debris containment when erected.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible side walls replace rigid panels, allowing the enclosure to be easily collapsed and packed away. The flexible material maintains containment effectiveness while simplifying disassembly and reducing packing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for a collapsible enclosure for a machine tool. According to one embodiment, a collapsible enclosure for a machine tool comprises a substantially waterproof pan. The pan comprises a base portion and a wall portion extending from the base portion around substantially all of an outer edge of the base portion. The collapsible enclosure further comprises a collapsible frame resting on the base portion of the pan and erected inside of the wall portion of the pan. A substantially waterproof cover substantially surrounds the collapsible frame and extends into the pan to overlap an inner side of the wall portion of the pan.