Conveying System Stopper with Damped Piston Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conveying systems face challenges with complex and costly stopping mechanisms that offer limited adjustability and high operational complexity, leading to increased system costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A simplified stopping device comprising a first piston assembly with a shock-absorbing cavity and a second piston assembly, allowing for stepless adjustment and damped stopping of a tray, featuring a single-piece structure with a gaseous pressure medium and spring assistance for efficient and safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional stopping means are used, then the tray can be stopped at a designated position, but the stopping travel can only be adjusted to a limited extent and the structure is complex and highly priced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of stopping travelVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopping device employs a dynamic structure where the first core part can reciprocate within the shock absorbing cavity, allowing the stopping travel to be continuously adjusted by controlling the position of the first core part. This dynamic adjustment mechanism replaces the limited discrete adjustment of conventional stopping means, enabling stepless adjustment of stopping travel while maintaining a relatively simple structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a shock absorbing cavity containing a pressure medium (gas or liquid) to provide damping force during the stopping process. The first core part moves within this fluid-filled cavity, and the fluid's compressibility and viscosity enable both the stopping action and the adjustable travel. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach simplifies the structure compared to mechanical spring-based or purely mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If conventional stopping means are used, then the tray can be stopped, but the structure is complex and highly priced causing the cost of the conveying system to increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestopping reliabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the stopping function and the shock absorption function into a single integrated device. The first piston assembly simultaneously provides the stopping force and the damping effect through the shock absorbing cavity, eliminating the need for separate stopping mechanisms and cushioning devices. This merging of functions reduces structural complexity and overall system cost while maintaining reliable stopping performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stopping device utilizes the compressibility and viscosity parameters of the pressure medium in the shock absorbing cavity to provide reliable stopping. By adjusting parameters such as the type of pressure medium, its pressure, and the geometry of the cavity, the stopping characteristics can be optimized for reliability without requiring complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional stopping means are used, then the tray can be stopped, but the impact during stopping causes damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact damage during stoppingVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorbing cavity is pre-filled with a pressure medium that is ready to absorb impact energy. When the first core part moves during the stopping process, the pressure medium immediately provides cushioning force to reduce impact. This beforehand cushioning prevents damage to the tray and workpiece without requiring complex active control systems or multiple cushioning stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful impact force during stopping into useful work by allowing the first core part to move within the shock absorbing cavity. The kinetic energy of the moving tray is transformed into potential energy of the compressed pressure medium and viscous dissipation in the fluid, effectively reducing impact damage. This energy conversion approach simplifies the structure compared to systems that attempt to actively counteract or absorb impact through complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 cost-effective, flexible, and accurate stopping mechanism that reduces impact and damage during stopping, enabling high operating efficiency and safe operation in conveying systems.

Implementation Method 1

a tube part, the tube part comprising a shock absorbing cavity, the shock absorbing cavity containing a pressure medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

the first core part comprising a stopping part and a rod part capable of reciprocating in the first movement direction in the shock absorbing cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure medium damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 3

the travel assistance member, coupled to the second core part, the travel assistance member being configured to cause the first core part to return to the elevated position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3858767B1Conveying system and stopper for conveying system
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 BOSCH REXROTH (CHANGZHOU) CO LTD
  • EP3858767B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3858767B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3858767B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~3D

AI summary

A stopper (4) for a transmission system (10) and the transmission system (10). The stopper (4) comprises a base (40) and a first piston assembly (41) disposed inside of the base (40); the first piston assembly (41) comprises a tubular part (411) and a first core part (412); the tubular part (411) comprises a damping cavity (411A), and the damping cavity (411A) has a pressure medium inside; the first core part (412) has a first movement direction relative to the base (40), and the first core part (412) comprises a rod part (4120) and a stopping part (4121) at a free end of the rod part (4120); the first piston assembly (41) has a second movement direction relative to the base (40), said second movement direction being perpendicular to the first movement direction. The stopper can stop trays by means of damping.