Dual-Arm Disk Transport Mechanism with Meshing Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disk transport apparatuses struggle to accurately transport disks of varying diameters, often failing to position smaller disks correctly due to design limitations, especially when inserted at the edges of the opening.
Innovation Solution
A disk transport apparatus with first and second arms that pivot in response to each other, featuring meshing teeth and rollers, ensuring that the disk is gripped by both arms before pivotal motion, allowing for precise centering and appropriate positioning of disks of different diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single arm with rollers is used to transport the disk, then the structure is simple, but smaller disks inserted at the end portion of the opening cannot be positioned accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The single arm is divided into two separate arms (first arm and second arm) that can pivot independently. Each arm has rollers that contact the disk at different locations, allowing the system to accommodate disks of varying diameters and insertion positions while maintaining positioning accuracy through the coordinated pivotal motion of both arms
2Adaptability or versatility
If the arm is designed to pivot freely to accommodate different disk sizes, then adaptability is improved, but the disk may be gripped by only one roller causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The meshing teeth on the first arm and corresponding teeth on the link create a mechanical feedback system. When the first arm pivots in response to disk insertion, it drives the link to pivot, which in turn pivots the second arm. This feedback mechanism ensures that both arms coordinate their motion and both rollers contact the disk simultaneously, preventing misalignment while maintaining adaptability to different disk sizes
3Ease of operation
If meshing engagement is always permitted, then the arms can pivot smoothly, but unwanted motion occurs when only one arm contacts the disk
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking portion is positioned and sized to engage the link at a specific point during the pivotal motion sequence. This preliminary blocking action prevents the meshing teeth from engaging until both arms are properly positioned and both rollers are contacting the disk, thereby preventing unwanted motion while allowing smooth coordinated pivotal motion when conditions are correct
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 the accurate and appropriate transport of both larger and smaller disks by ensuring contact with both arms, preventing misalignment and ensuring proper positioning on the turntable, thereby improving the handling of disks with different diameters.
Implementation Method 1
the first arm and the link having a plurality of teeth and an arm side meshing portion and a link side meshing portion, respectively, which mesh with each other
Implementation Method 2
an end edge of the disk is contacted with the rollers of the arms on the opening side to slidably move the sliders
Data Source
AI summary
A disk transport apparatus is disclosed which can transport a disk appropriately. First and second arms are mounted for pivotal motion in first and second directions in which they are spaced from each other around second ends thereof to transport the disk. A link pivots the first or second arm in response to pivotal motion of the second or first arm. The first arm and the link have teeth and meshing portions which mesh with each other. The first arm has a blocking portion which blocks, when the second arm is pivoted in the second direction with the disk contacting only with the second arm, meshing engagement between the meshing portions to block pivotal motion of the arms in the first and second directions.