Delivery Rack Rotary Lock Mechanism Single Drive Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing delivery systems face increased manufacturing costs due to the need for a driving source for each solenoid lock in article carrying apparatuses, which complicates the locking and unlocking of returnable containers of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A delivery rack and vehicle design featuring M rotary lock main bodies with a coupling member that allows them to rotate in conjunction, driven by a single driving source, enabling independent locking and unlocking of returnable containers of different sizes without the need for separate mechanisms for each.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a solenoid lock with a driving source is provided for each housing part, then each article can be independently locked and unlocked, but the manufacturing cost increases due to the driving source required for each solenoid lock
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple rotary lock main bodies (first, second, and third) are combined into a single integrated lock mechanism unit. This merging allows multiple containers to be locked and unlocked independently through a single driving source, eliminating the need for separate driving sources for each solenoid lock while maintaining independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single driving source is designed to drive multiple rotary lock main bodies simultaneously, making it a multi-functional component that performs the locking and unlocking function for multiple containers. This universal driving source replaces multiple individual driving sources, reducing manufacturing cost while preserving independent operation capability.
2Ease of operation
If multiple driving sources are provided for multiple solenoid locks, then each container can be independently controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple driving sources into a single driving source that can actuate multiple rotary lock main bodies. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components while maintaining the capability for independent control of each container through the coupled lock mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is segmented into multiple independent rotary lock main bodies (first, second, third) that can be independently controlled, while the driving source is unified. This segmentation at the lock level combined with unification at the driving level achieves independent control without multiplying the number of driving sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack includes: a casing; M pairs of supports that are provided inside the casing so as to extend in a depth direction and arrayed at regular intervals in a predetermined direction; and a lock mechanism that locks returnable containers housed while being supported so as to be slidable along the respective M pairs of supports. The lock mechanism has M rotary lock main bodies that are respectively provided at the M pairs of supports and each unlock at a predetermined rotation angle, and a coupling member that couples the M rotary lock main bodies to one another and allows them to rotate in conjunction with one another. The predetermined rotation angle for unlocking is different for each of the M rotary lock main bodies, and the M rotary lock main bodies are driven to rotate by a single driving source.