Apparatus for moving articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movement apparatuses for articles, such as those integrated in furnishing elements like wardrobes, pose safety hazards due to exposed drive units and are prone to blockages, especially when users or children accidentally interact with moving parts or when articles with protruding parts come into contact with the drive unit.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a conveyor member with a closed ring or oblong development, a drive unit positioned within a protected area inside the guide cavity, and an intermediate zone with sliding and support elements, which keeps the drive unit away from the aperture, reducing the risk of accidents and blockages, and includes a rubberized drive wheel for silent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drive unit is positioned in direct correspondence with the aperture of the guide cavity to facilitate conveyor member sliding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to exposed moving parts that can pinch or sever fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is extracted from its conventional position at the aperture and relocated to the bottom of the guide cavity. This separation removes the dangerous moving parts from the user-accessible zone while preserving the functional connection to the conveyor member through the intermediate zone, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate zone is introduced between the aperture and the drive unit, containing sliding elements that mediate the force transmission. This intermediary structure allows the drive unit to operate safely at the cavity bottom while still effectively moving the conveyor member through the aperture, bridging the gap between safety requirements and operational functionality.
2Productivity
If the drive unit is positioned at the aperture to directly act on the conveyor member, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to frequent blockages from article contact
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is extracted from the aperture position and placed at the bottom of the guide cavity, removing it from the path where articles with protruding parts can cause blockages. This spatial separation maintains the driving function while eliminating the reliability issue caused by article interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding elements in the intermediate zone serve as mediators that transmit the driving force from the remotely positioned drive unit to the conveyor member. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable force transmission without exposing the drive unit to blockage risks from articles, thus improving both reliability and productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the aperture width is increased to facilitate conveyor member sliding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety deteriorates as the larger opening exposes more moving parts to users
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the drive unit from the aperture region and positioning it at the cavity bottom, the invention allows the aperture to be optimized for smooth conveyor member passage without compromising safety. The drive function is separated from the user-accessible aperture zone, enabling an aperture design that prioritizes operational ease while maintaining safety through the relocated drive unit.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for moving articles comprising a conveyor member, a shelf provided with a guide cavity defining at least partly a movement path and a drive unit associated with the conveyor member and configured to move the conveyor member along the movement path. The conveyor member is provided with a support zone, a drawing zone, and an intermediate zone.