Extensible Support Arm Structure for Precise Linear Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor chains experience positional inaccuracies due to slight play at coupling portions, leading to potential errors in conveying objects to specified positions.
Innovation Solution
A linear motion extensible device comprising rod-shaped members coupled via rotational shafts, a rotating plate that winds and unwinds these members to form a support arm with angle regulation, and engagement grooves for precise positioning, enhancing forward and rearward direction accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If multiple link plates are coupled to extend the conveyor chain, then the conveyor chain can be extended in length, but slight play at coupling portions accumulates causing large positional errors
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is segmented into multiple rod-shaped members that can be wound and unwound. This segmentation allows the arm to extend and retract while maintaining precision through controlled mechanical engagement rather than fixed coupling, resolving the accumulation of play errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm transitions from a static extended structure to a dynamic wound structure. By winding the rod-shaped members onto the rotating plate, the system maintains compact storage while preserving positional accuracy through controlled engagement points, eliminating cumulative play.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support arm is extended to reach maintenance positions, then maintenance capability is improved, but position accuracy in forward and rearward directions deteriorates due to coupling play
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm uses a dynamic winding mechanism where rod-shaped members are rotated and engaged with engagement grooves on the rotating plate. This allows the arm to extend to maintenance positions while maintaining precision through controlled mechanical engagement, preventing cumulative play errors.
Solution Approach 2:
Engagement grooves act as intermediaries between the rod-shaped members and the rotating plate. These grooves provide precise engagement points that maintain positional accuracy while allowing the support arm to extend and retract for maintenance operations.
3Device complexity
If rod-shaped members are simply coupled together, then the structure is simple, but the angle between adjacent members cannot be regulated causing positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure has different properties at different locations. The engagement grooves provide localized angular regulation at coupling points while maintaining simple rod-shaped member connections elsewhere, achieving precision where needed without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the angular parameter between adjacent rod-shaped members through engagement grooves. By regulating the angle at coupling points while maintaining simple connections elsewhere, the system achieves positioning accuracy without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A linear motion extensible device (21) includes: rod-shaped members (31); and a rotating plate (42) rotating in a wind-up direction to wind up the rod-shaped members (30) while rotating them around a coupling rotational shaft (32) and rotating in a wind-off direction to push out the rod-shaped members (31) so as to arrange them in a line, wherein the rod-shaped member (31) has: an intermediate shaft (33) and an angle regulating part (34) which regulates widening an angle between the adjacent rod-shaped members (31), the rotating plate (42) has engagement grooves (44) engaged with the coupling rotational shaft (32) and the intermediate shaft (33), and when the rotating plate (42) is rotated in the wind-off direction, the coupling rotational shaft (32) and the intermediate shaft (33) come into contact with an inner surface (45) of the engagement groove (44), are pushed out, and leave the engagement grooves (44).