Container Gripping Means with Anti-Weight Spring Equilibrium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional raising/lowering conveyance devices for containers experience significant frictional resistance when gripping and moving containers, leading to potential displacement and difficulty in smoothly engaging and disengaging container support pins with overhanging ribs, resulting in inefficient and unstable container handling.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastic materials to maintain container gripping means at an equilibrium height, canceling out the weight of the gripping means, allowing for reduced frictional resistance during engagement and disengagement with container surfaces, and the incorporation of compression coil springs for enhanced stability and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If container support pins are pushed up by the overhanging rib during gripping, then the container can be securely held, but significant frictional resistance prevents smooth engagement and disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by introducing elastic materials that generate upward elastic forces to counterbalance the downward weight of the container gripping means. This creates an equilibrium state where the net force on the support pins is reduced, thereby decreasing frictional resistance during engagement and disengagement while maintaining reliable container holding through the balanced force system
2Reliability
If container support pins are pushed down by the overhanging rib during gripping, then the container can be securely held, but the frictional resistance prevents smooth disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic materials function as counterweights that generate upward forces to offset the downward forces experienced by the support pins when pushed against the overhanging rib. This force balancing reduces the normal force between pins and rib surface, thereby reducing friction and enabling smooth disengagement while maintaining secure holding during the gripping phase
3Device complexity
If the weight of container gripping means acts as load on support pins, then the structure remains simple, but frictional resistance increases and prevents light and smooth removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastic materials as counterweight elements that generate upward elastic forces to balance the downward weight of the container gripping means. This force equilibrium reduces the effective load on the support pins during engagement and disengagement operations, thereby reducing frictional resistance and enabling light and smooth removal without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static weight load into a dynamic force balance system. The elastic materials allow the gripping means to adapt its force distribution dynamically during engagement and disengagement, enabling the system to operate with reduced frictional resistance while maintaining structural integrity and simplicity
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 configuration enables smooth and stable vertical movement of container gripping means, reducing frictional resistance and preventing container displacement during handling, allowing for precise and reliable positioning and lowering of containers.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic material is interposed between each columnar support member and the container gripping means so as to support the container gripping means at an equilibrium height in equilibrium with the weight of the container gripping means
Implementation Method 2
incorporation of compression coil springs for enhanced stability and durability
Data Source
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AI summary
In this raising/lowering conveyance device for a container for conveying an article, a container gripping means 2A, 2B has a structure in which multiple container support pins 15 are arranged so as to be capable of freely protruding and retracting, and a spring 20 for biasing the container gripping means 2A, 2B upward is interposed between the container gripping means 2A, 2B and a columnar support member 6a, 6b for supporting the container gripping means 2A, 2B such that said container gripping means 2A, 2B can be freely raised and lowered. As a result of the upward biasing force of the spring 20, the container gripping means 2A, 2B is held at an equilibrium height H3 in equilibrium with the weight thereof and is capable of movement vertically with the equilibrium height H3 serving as the center of said movement. When the container gripping means 2A, 2B lifts a container 1, the container gripping means 2A, 2B receives the weight of the container 1, descends from the equilibrium height H3, and is supported at the fixed height of the columnar support member 6a.