Differential Impulse Conveyor Linear Bearing for Straight-Line Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional differential impulse conveyors move along an arc-shaped path rather than a straight line, causing the conveyor surface and supported articles to move through an up and down motion, which is undesirable in space-constrained environments where a linear path is preferred.
Innovation Solution
A differential impulse conveyor system utilizing a pinion gear and an interior ring gear with a Tusi Couple mechanism, where the pinion gear rotates twice for each revolution of the interior ring gear, ensuring continuous engagement and alignment to maintain positive contact and prevent slippage, allowing for oscillatory motion along a straight line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional pivotally coupled supporting members are used to support the reciprocating conveyor, then the supporting structure is compact, but the conveyor moves along an arc-shaped path causing up and down motion
Solution Approach 1:
A linear bearing assembly acts as an intermediary component between the reciprocating conveyor table and the fixed supporting structure. This linear bearing guides the conveyor table along a straight linear path, preventing the arc-shaped motion that would otherwise occur with pivotally coupled supporting members.
2Area of stationary object
If shorter supporting members are used to reduce space occupation, then the space usage is optimized, but the arc motion of the reciprocating structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linear bearing assembly serves as a mediator that decouples the relationship between supporting member length and motion path curvature. By introducing this linear guidance mechanism, the conveyor can use shorter supporting members while maintaining straight linear motion, thus optimizing space without increasing arc motion.
3Device complexity
If pivotally coupled supporting members are used, then the supporting structure is simpler, but the conveyor surface experiences arc-shaped motion path
Solution Approach 1:
The linear bearing assembly is a relatively simple intermediary component that can be integrated into the existing supporting structure. It provides straight linear guidance while adding minimal complexity, effectively converting the arc-shaped motion path into a straight linear path with only a small increase in structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus that functions as a linear bearing for supporting a reciprocating structure that reciprocates along a linear path includes a first body including a pinion gear with a first diameter and a first number of teeth for engagement with a second number of teeth that is twice the first number and on an interior ring gear of a second body. The interior ring gear is disposed within an interior cavity. The first body also includes a support member connected to the pinion gear with a crank, the support member being aligned with a point at the periphery of the pinion gear so that it will, upon rotation of the pinion gear while engaged with the ring gear, cyclically reciprocate along a linear path. The apparatus can be used to support reciprocating structures such as, for example, a reciprocating conveyor.