Conduit Supporting Member Structure for Reciprocating Motion Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing conduit supporting devices for robot traveling devices in processing apparatuses face issues with material damage due to reciprocating motion, leading to impaired processing quality and potential contamination from dust.

Innovation Solution

A conduit supporting member with an elastic member and block members that can deform from a linear shape to a curved shape, featuring a flexure reduction unit to minimize flexure and enhance durability, with specific proportions and materials like SUS301 or SUS304, and block members made from high compressive elastic modulus materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the flexible material is used for a certain period or subjected to reciprocating motion of a certain number of times, then the supporting member can maintain flexibility and low mechanical noise, but the flexible material may be damaged leading to loss of supporting function and potential contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of flexible materialVSAvoidservice life of flexible material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by replacing the flexible material with an elastic member made of metal (SUS301 or SUS304) and modifies the structural parameters by adding block members and a flexure reduction unit. This transforms the supporting member from a flexible material-based structure to an elastic member-based structure with enhanced durability and resistance to damage from reciprocating motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining the elastic member with block members made of different materials (metal or resin with high compressive elastic modulus). This composite construction distributes stress and prevents the damage that would occur in a single-material flexible structure subjected to repeated reciprocating motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the supporting member is made flexible to accommodate reciprocating motion, then it can maintain low mechanical noise and small bend radius, but it generates particulate and may be damaged over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and small bend radiusVSAvoidparticulate generation and material damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from flexible material to elastic member with specific metal compositions (SUS301 or SUS304), and modifies structural parameters by incorporating block members and a flexure reduction unit. This maintains the necessary flexibility for reciprocating motion while eliminating particulate generation and improving resistance to material damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the conduit supporting device uses a flexible material to maintain U-shape flexibility, then it can adapt to position changes of the traveling bogie, but the material may be damaged leading to impaired processing quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to position changesVSAvoidprocessing quality and connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters from flexible material to elastic member made of metal (SUS301 or SUS304) and modifies structural parameters by adding block members and a flexure reduction unit. This maintains the adaptability to position changes of the traveling bogie while significantly improving reliability and preventing damage that would impair processing quality.

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

The solution provides a conduit supporting member with improved durability and reliability, reducing the risk of material damage and maintaining stable conduit connections, thus preventing contamination and ensuring high processing quality.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member having a first surface and extending in a first direction... the supporting member is deformable, from a first shape in which the end surfaces of the plurality of block members are in contact with each other, into a second shape in which the end surfaces of the plurality of block members are separated from each other and the supporting member is curved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12095243B2Supporting member, conduit supporting device, and processing apparatus provided therewith

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 JUNKOSHA

AI summary

There is provided a supporting member having excellent durability and an apparatus including the supporting member. The supporting member includes an elastic member and a plurality of block members formed thereon. The supporting member is deformable from a shape in which end surfaces of the block members are in contact with each other to a shape in which the end surfaces are separated from each other. The elastic member includes a fixed region whose deformation is restricted by being fixed to a bottom surface of the block member, and the supporting member includes a flexure reduction unit for reducing flexure at a position near the fixed region of the elastic member.