Article Conveying Device Slit Design for Dust and Pinch Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional article transport devices generate dust due to friction between the cover body and connecting member, and pose safety risks for operators near the transfer location due to potential finger pinching hazards, especially in clean room environments like semiconductor manufacturing facilities.
Innovation Solution
The article transport device features a slit configuration where the connecting portion remains out of contact with the cover body, and includes a flexible, resilient cover at the operator's transfer location to prevent dust generation and ensure operator safety by deforming to protect fingers from pinching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the connecting portion remains in contact with the cover body, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but dust is generated due to friction between the cover body and connecting member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful contact interaction between the connecting portion and cover body by configuring the slit width to be larger than the connecting portion, allowing the connecting portion to pass through without contact. This eliminates dust generation while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameter of slit width to be larger than the connecting portion dimensions, transforming the contact-based structure into a non-contact structure. This parameter change eliminates friction and dust generation while preserving the overall structural simplicity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the slit width is widened to prevent dust generation, then dust is prevented, but a gap is formed over the entire length of the slit which poses safety risks for operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the end forming portion resilient while keeping other portions rigid. This localized flexibility prevents dust generation at the critical end area where the connecting portion passes through, while maintaining operator safety through the cushioning effect of the resilient material at that specific location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by making the end forming portion resilient, which provides advance protection against finger pinching hazards. The resilient material acts as a cushion before any harmful contact can occur, preventing injury while allowing the slit to remain open for connecting portion passage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the end forming portion is made resilient, then operator safety is improved by preventing finger pinching, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the end forming portion resilient while keeping other portions rigid. This localized flexibility prevents dust generation at the critical end area where the connecting portion passes through, while maintaining operator safety through the cushioning effect of the resilient material at that specific location.
4Device complexity
If the connecting portion moves while in contact with the cover body, then the structure is simple, but friction generates dust which is undesirable in clean room environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful contact interaction between the connecting portion and cover body by configuring the slit width to be larger than the connecting portion, allowing the connecting portion to pass through without contact. This eliminates dust generation while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameter of slit width to be larger than the connecting portion dimensions, transforming the contact-based structure into a non-contact structure. This parameter change eliminates friction and dust generation while preserving the overall structural 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 effectively prevents dust generation and enhances operator safety by maintaining non-contact between the connecting portion and cover body, while the resilient cover protects fingers from pinching hazards, ensuring a safer and cleaner operation.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible and resilient cover portion which can be elastically deformed is provided in an end forming portion of the cover body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The object is to provide an article transporting device in which dust generation can be prevented and in which it is hard for the operator at the operator's transfer location to be injured. The device comprises a reciprocating movable body configured to move in a forward and backward directions on a travel path extending between an operator's transfer location P and a non-operator's transfer location Q, a cover body 22 which partially covers an area above the reciprocating movable body which travels over an entire length of the travel path, an article support 20 connected to the reciprocating movable body by a connecting portion which extends upwardly from the reciprocating movable body and vertically through the slit 24 provided to the cover body, the article support being configured to move above the cover body along a direction of the travel path. The slit is formed such that the connecting portion remains out of contact with the cover body, when the reciprocating movable body moves along the travel path. A flexible and resilient cover 22s which can be elastically deformed is provided in an end forming portion 22E of the cover body which forms an end of the slit on a side of the operator's transfer location.