Gantry Machine Tool Coplanar Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gantry machine tools pose safety risks due to elevated support structures that require protective barriers and complex guide systems, complicating accessibility and increasing installation and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
The gantry machine tool features support structures that are coplanar with the worktable, incorporating guides on lateral surfaces for carriage movement, eliminating height differences and allowing a walkable surface, reducing the need for protective barriers and simplifying access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support structures are raised or embedded in the floor to support carriages, then structural stability is improved, but operator safety deteriorates due to increased risk of falling and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the guide means from the upper surface of the support structure to its lateral surface. This dimensional shift allows the horizontal top surface to remain flat and walkable while the guides are positioned on the vertical side, eliminating the need for protective barriers and improving operator safety without compromising structural stability
2Manufacturing precision
If guide means are positioned on the upper surface of support structures, then carriage guidance is improved, but accessibility deteriorates due to need for protective covers and roller shutters
Solution Approach 1:
The guide means are positioned on the lateral surface of the support structure rather than the upper surface. This allows the horizontal top surface to remain completely walkable and accessible, while the guides function effectively on the vertical side surface, eliminating the need for telescopic covers or roller shutters
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protective barriers are installed around support structures, then operator safety is improved by preventing accidental contact, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the guide means from the upper surface location and relocates them to the lateral surface of the support structure. This removal of guides from the walkable surface eliminates the need for protective barriers entirely, as operators can safely walk over the entire top surface without risk of contacting moving guide components
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral surface guides inherently provide safety by being positioned on the vertical side rather than the horizontal top. The structure itself serves the dual function of supporting carriages and eliminating safety hazards, without requiring additional protective barrier systems
4Reliability
If telescopic covers or roller shutters are used to protect guide means, then structural protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to slippery surfaces and need to skirt around
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning guide means on the lateral surface rather than upper surface, the entire horizontal top surface remains as a continuous walkable area. Operators can walk directly over the support structures without encountering slippery covers or needing to navigate around obstacles
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A gantry machine tool (1) comprising a pair of substantially vertical uprights (2) joined atop by a transverse beam (3) on which at least one tool holder head (4) is slidingly mounted, a worktable (5) for anchoring a workpiece and above which said tool holder head (4) is movable, wherein each upright (2) 5 comprises a carriage (7) adapted to slide along a substantially longitudinal support structure (8). The support structure (8) comprises at least one horizontal surface (9) substantially coplanar to the worktable (5) and at least one lateral surface (10, 10') embedded in the floor (P) and provided with guide means (11) for the carriage (7).