Glass Transport Slotted Element Mechanical Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional machines for moving glass products lose gripping force and cause breakage when electrical power is lost, as they rely on pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric structures to secure the glass products.

Innovation Solution

A glass product transport apparatus featuring a slotted element assembly that engages the narrowed portion of a glass product, with a carriage assembly and actuator system that allows longitudinal movement and retains the product even if power is removed, using a rail structure for support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gripping apparatus use pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric structures to grip glass products, then gripping force can be maintained during normal operation, but gripping force is lost when electrical power is removed causing glass products to fall and break

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping reliabilityVSAvoidglass product breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a gravity-based mechanical locking system instead of power-dependent pneumatic/hydraulic/electric grippers. The slotted element assembly with cam mechanism locks glass products in place through gravitational force and mechanical geometry, releasing only when deliberately actuated, thereby eliminating power loss-related dropping and breakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, robust mechanical components (slotted element assembly, cam mechanism, spring-loaded retainers) that are inherently fail-safe and do not rely on complex power systems. These mechanical elements provide reliable gripping through their physical design rather than active control, making the system resistant to power failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If conventional gripping apparatus rely on powered actuating mechanisms, then gripping force can be controlled and adjusted, but the system becomes dependent on continuous power supply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping controlVSAvoidelectrical power dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The slotted element assembly with cam mechanism is designed to automatically lock glass products into position through its own mechanical geometry and gravitational force. The spring-loaded retainers self-engage with the cam lobes, creating a passive, self-sustaining gripping system that requires no continuous power input to maintain its gripping function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces powered pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuating mechanisms with a purely mechanical cam-based locking system. This substitution eliminates dependence on electrical power while maintaining gripping control through mechanical means, allowing the system to operate reliably in power-free conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11498780B2Glass product transport apparatus and method of use

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 ROBEX LLC

AI summary

A glass product transport apparatus is provided. The glass product transport apparatus includes a slotted element assembly configured to engage a narrowed portion of a glass product. A carriage assembly has a longitudinal slot configured to receive the slotted element assembly for longitudinal movement. An actuator is connected to the slotted element assembly and configured to move the slotted element assembly in a longitudinal direction. A rail structure is configured to support the carriage assembly. The slotted element assembly is configured to retain the glass product in the event power is removed from the actuator.