Inclined Receiver for Liquid Collection in Transport Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional article transport apparatuses face challenges in effectively receiving and detecting liquid that has dripped from articles during transport, as the flat bottom plate design of the receiver leads to incomplete oil collection and inaccurate liquid detection.
Innovation Solution
An article transport apparatus with a receiver that covers the entire bottom surface of the article and has an inclined receiving surface extending downward to a collector, allowing for efficient liquid collection and detection, and a liquid detector to measure the amount of collected liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bottom plate portions in the receiver are formed in a flat shape, then the receiver can be manufactured simply, but the liquid received by the receiver is not appropriately channeled to the through holes
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom plate portions are formed with an inclined surface instead of a flat shape. The inclined surface gradually slopes downward toward the through holes, creating a curved flow path that naturally channels liquid toward the discharge holes through gravitational force, thereby improving liquid collection efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
2Device complexity
If the bottom plate portions in the receiver are formed in an overall flat shape, then the receiver structure is simple, but the amount of liquid received by the receiver cannot be accurately detected
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface configuration ensures that all liquid collected in the receiver flows toward the through holes, creating a predictable and consistent liquid flow pattern. This allows the liquid detector to accurately measure the amount of liquid received, as the inclined geometry ensures complete liquid collection in the detection area without dead zones that would exist in a flat bottom design
3Adaptability or versatility
If the receiver is positioned at a variable distance from the article, then the receiver can adapt to different article positions, but the liquid received by the receiver is not appropriately channeled and splattering occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface configuration ensures that liquid flows downward toward the through holes regardless of the receiver's vertical position relative to the article. The gravitational force acting on the inclined surface consistently directs liquid toward the discharge holes, preventing splattering even when the receiver position varies during article transport
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
This configuration ensures that liquid is appropriately received and collected, preventing splattering and allowing for accurate detection of the amount of liquid that has dripped, enhancing the transport process by maintaining a constant distance between the receiver and the article.
Implementation Method 1
the receiver has a receiving surface that faces upward and that is entirely inclined to extend gradually downward toward the collector
Data Source
AI summary
An article transport apparatus includes a travel carriage, a mast, a lift, and a transfer machine. The transfer machine includes a holder and a movement mechanism. The movement mechanism is configured to transfer an article between the holder and a storage rack. The article transport apparatus further includes a receiver supported by the lift and configured to receive liquid that has dripped from the article, a collector configured to collect the liquid received by the receiver, and a liquid detector configured to detect the amount of liquid collected in the collector. The receiver is disposed to cover, from below, the entire bottom surface of the article located at a holding position. The collector is connected to the receiver. The receiver includes a receiving surface that faces upward and that is entirely inclined to extend gradually downward toward the collector.