Corner-Gripping Container Lifting Mechanism for Stacked Plastic Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional container raising/lowering conveyance apparatuses are inefficient in handling stacked compact plastic containers with open upper sides, as they require specialized metal fittings and become increasingly unstable with more layers, making safe conveying difficult.
Innovation Solution
A container raising/lowering conveyance apparatus utilizing a movable arm that can rock horizontally to grip containers at their corners, with four gripping raising/lowering bodies that can fit and separate from the corners, and a vertical rod-shaped main body driven by a timing belt system to lift and lower containers, allowing for stable handling of stacked containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If suspending hooks are used to lift containers by engaging with flange portions, then compact plastic containers with open upper sides can be conveyed, but the stability deteriorates when multiple containers are stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into four corners, and a gripping raising/lowering body is provided for each corner. Each gripping body independently engages with the flange portion at one corner, distributing the lifting load across four separate contact points rather than using a single suspending hook. This segmentation provides stable support for stacked containers while maintaining the ability to convey compact plastic containers.
2Ease of manufacture
If specialized engaged metal fittings are protruded from the container ceiling or gap is formed below the bottom surface, then containers can be suspended, but the device complexity increases and compact plastic containers cannot be used as conveyed objects
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping raising/lowering body is designed to universally engage with the flange portions that are already present on standard plastic containers for their intended use. The gripping mechanism can handle both containers with protruding metal fittings and those without, making the conveyance device multi-functional and adaptable to different container types without requiring modifications to the containers themselves.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of stacked containers is increased, then conveyance capacity is improved, but the stability and safety of conveying deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By providing a gripping raising/lowering body at each of the four corners, the load from multiple stacked containers is distributed across four independent gripping points. This corner-based segmentation provides a stable pyramid-like support structure that maintains reliability and safety even when conveying large numbers of stacked containers, preventing the instability that occurs with centralized suspension.
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
Enables safe and efficient lifting and conveying of both single and stacked containers by gripping them at the corners, maintaining stability and allowing for easy operation with a simple and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a timing belt stretched between both ends of the rod-shaped main bodies
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
In a container raising/lowering conveyance apparatus according to the present invention, pairs of secondary movable bases (pair 30a and 30b and pair 31a and 31b) capable of being moved closer to and away from each other in the Y direction are provided to a pair of main movable bases (21 a and 21b) provided so as to be capable of being moved closer to and away from each other in the X direction. Four gripping raising/lowering bodies (45a to 46b) are respectively and separately supported by the four secondary movable bases so as to be capable of being raised and lowered. Vertical rod-shaped main bodies (66), which are supported by the respective main movable bases so as to be capable of being raised and lowered and which are raised and lowered by being driven by raising/lowering drive means, are disposed at intermediate positions between the Y-direction pairs of gripping raising/lowering bodies. Upper end portions of the vertical rod-shaped main bodies (66) and upper end portions of the gripping raising/lowering bodies at both sides of the vertical rod-shaped main bodies (66) in the Y direction are coupled by coupling means (51A and 51B), which allow the gripping raising/lowering bodies to be moved closer to and away from each other in the Y direction.