Container Restricting Mechanism Foreign Matter Clearance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing content moving devices face reliability issues in restricting container movement due to foreign matter being caught between the flange and the automatic lock mechanism, which hinders effective movement restriction.

Innovation Solution

A content moving device with a restricting mechanism that includes a collar portion, first and second restricting portions, and a second moving mechanism, where the second restricting portion moves along the flange to push aside foreign matter, reducing the likelihood of it being caught and improving movement restriction reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the automatic lock mechanism holds down the flange from above to restrict container movement, then the container movement restriction is achieved, but foreign matter may be caught between the flange and the restricting portion, causing the lock mechanism to fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer movement restriction reliabilityVSAvoidforeign matter interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restricting mechanism is divided into multiple independent restricting portions (first restricting portion and second restricting portion) that can operate separately. The first restricting portion restricts movement in the extending direction, while the second restricting portion restricts movement in the up-down direction. This segmentation allows each portion to focus on a specific restriction function, reducing the risk that foreign matter will interfere with the entire locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second restricting portion is designed to move along the extending direction of the flange between a first position (opposed to the flange) and a second position (opposed to the recessed portion). This dynamic movement capability allows the second restricting portion to push foreign matter aside and continue restricting container movement, preventing foreign matter from causing complete lock mechanism failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the restricting portion is positioned to hold down the flange from above, then movement restriction in the up-down direction is achieved, but foreign matter on the flange can be caught, preventing effective restriction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveup-down direction movement restrictionVSAvoidforeign matter clearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The second restricting portion is designed to move along the extending direction of the flange between a first position (opposed to the flange) and a second position (opposed to the recessed portion). This dynamic movement capability allows the second restricting portion to push foreign matter aside and continue restricting container movement, preventing foreign matter from causing complete lock mechanism failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single restricting portion is used to hold down the flange, then the structure is simple, but foreign matter can be caught, causing the lock to fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestricting mechanism structureVSAvoidcontainer movement restriction

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The restricting mechanism is divided into multiple independent restricting portions (first restricting portion and second restricting portion) that can operate separately. The first restricting portion restricts movement in the extending direction, while the second restricting portion restricts movement in the up-down direction. This segmentation allows each portion to focus on a specific restriction function, reducing the risk that foreign matter will interfere with the entire locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second restricting portion serves multiple functions: it restricts container movement in the up-down direction when positioned at the first position, and it can push foreign matter aside by moving along the flange to the second position. This multi-functionality compensates for the increased structural complexity by providing both movement restriction and foreign matter clearance capabilities within a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3312872B1Content moving device

Publication Date: 2021.11.24 SINFONIA TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3

AI summary

Reliability in the restriction of the movement of a container is improved. A content moving device 1 includes: a table portion 20 on which a container 50 is placed; and a restricting mechanism 30. A flange 55 of the container 50 is shaped to provide a recessed portion 56a. A restricting mechanism 30 includes: a collar portion 31; a first restricting portion 32 configured to be located in the recessed portion 56a; a second restricting portion 33a provided above the first restricting portion 32 and inward of the collar portion 31; and a second moving mechanism. The second moving mechanism is configured to move the second restricting portion 33a along an extending direction B between a first position, in which the second restricting portion 33a is opposed to the flange 55 of the container 50 in an up-down direction A, and a second position, in which the second restricting portion 33a is opposed to the recessed portion 56a in the up-down direction A without being opposed to the flange 55 in the up-down direction A.