Dip Coating Fastening Device with Rocker Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for immersion treatment of vehicle bodies, such as cataphoretic dip painting, require a high height position for non-immersed objects on turning stations due to rigid skids and long links, which is undesirable for upstream and downstream transport systems.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device with U or V-shaped rockers that allow the object to move relative to the skid under gravity or active drive, reducing the height of the non-immersed position and providing stability in both immersed and non-immersed states through guided pins and slots, with an optional damping device to control movement speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid skids with long links are used to connect the turning axis to the vehicle bodies, then the vehicle bodies can be reliably positioned during rotation, but the height of non-immersed objects on the turning station becomes excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidheight of non-immersed position
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by replacing rigid skids with a dynamic suspension system using rockers and links that can pivot and adjust their position. The rockers (13) connected to the basic structure (20) via pivot pins (14) allow the vehicle body (3) to move relative to the skid during rotation, enabling the system to adapt its height dynamically while maintaining positioning reliability throughout the rotation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the axis of rotation is positioned outside the treatment liquid to enable 180° rotation, then the vehicle bodies can be fully immersed, but the height of the vehicle bodies within the turning station becomes relatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation capabilityVSAvoidheight level of transport system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing vertical movement capability through the rocker mechanism. Instead of maintaining a fixed horizontal rotation plane, the system allows vertical displacement of the vehicle body during rotation via the pivoting rockers (13) and links (18), enabling the axis of rotation to remain outside the treatment liquid while minimizing the height of non-immersed positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If conventional rigid skids are used to fasten vehicle bodies, then the structure is simple and stable, but the system cannot accommodate the required height reduction for efficient transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskid structure simplicityVSAvoidheight of non-immersed position
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rigid skid into multiple independent components: the basic structure (20), rockers (13), links (18), and pivot pins (14). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively achieving the height reduction goal, maintaining relative simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 minimizes the height of non-immersed objects, ensuring a stable resting position and reducing the distance from the skid and axis of rotation, allowing for efficient and stable transport through the system with reduced vertical displacement during rotation.

Implementation Method 1

the object is given the freedom to move in a very defined way relative to the basic structure of the skid under the influence of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

both legs of the U or V have a slot into which a guide pin fastened to the skid engages and slides in the corresponding slot when the skid rotates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2830780B1Installation for dip coating articles
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 EISENMANN SE
  • EP2830780B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2830780B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2830780B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is described an installation (1) for dip coating articles (3), in particular vehicle bodies, which are movable up to and away from at least one dip tank (2) with the aid of a transport system (4). In order to be dipped and removed, they are moved onto a rotary platform (16) of at least one stationary rotary station (5, 6) and are dipped into and removed from the treatment liquid by rotation of the rotary platform (16). Each article (3) is fastened with the aid of a fastening device (11) to a skid (7) which interacts with the transport system (4). The fastening device (11) has a holding structure (12) for the article (3) and at least two rockers (13) which are U- or V-shaped and are fastened in a pivotable manner to the holding structure (12) at their vertex. The two arms of the U or V have a slot (15) into which in each case one guide pin (16, 17) fastened to the skid (7) engages and slides in the corresponding slot (15) upon rotation of the skid (7). In this way, the article (3) is at a shorter distance from the rotary platform (16) in the removed position than in the dipped position.