Load Crossmember Guide Alignment for Winding Shaft Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handling of heavy winding shafts with material rolls is time-consuming, prone to errors, and poses safety risks, often requiring manual intervention and leading to production cell downtime.
Innovation Solution
A load traverse system with crossbeam, load arms, axial and radial sliding elements, and a guide arrangement for precise alignment and positioning of shafts, enabling repeatable, rapid, and safe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to handle winding shafts with lifting beams, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but handling time increases and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft positioning system performs alignment and positioning automatically through the interaction of sliding elements and guide arrangement, without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using gravity and mechanical guidance to achieve precise positioning, eliminating the need for operators to manually attach ropes or hooks while reducing handling time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional manual lifting beam system with an automated mechanical positioning system using sliding elements and guide arrangements. This substitution transforms manual mechanical operations into an automated mechanical process that is both faster and safer
2Ease of operation
If manual handling procedures are used, then adaptability to different situations is maintained, but error probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs alignment and positioning through its mechanical design, eliminating human error. The sliding elements and guide arrangement work together to ensure precise shaft positioning without relying on operator skill or attention, thereby increasing reliability while maintaining operational flexibility
3Object-affected harmful factors
If protective enclosures are opened for shaft handling, then safety of operators is ensured, but production cell downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated positioning system operates independently within the protective enclosure, allowing shaft handling to occur without opening the enclosure. The system's self-aligning mechanism works through the confined space, maintaining operator safety while preventing production downtime
4Manufacturing precision
If precise shaft alignment is achieved through manual methods, then positioning accuracy is obtained, but handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into separate functional elements: sliding elements for movement and guide arrangement for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, achieving precise alignment without complex overall procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The guide arrangement acts as an intermediary between the sliding elements and the shaft, providing a standardized interface that simplifies the positioning process. This intermediary component enables precise alignment through a simple, repeatable mechanical interaction
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
Facilitates efficient, safe, and automated alignment and positioning of shafts, reducing manual intervention and downtime, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The radial sliding element can have or consist of a roller. The roller provides a simple and cost-effective way to guide the load beam, for example, along a stop surface and/or groove of the guide assembly. The rolling motion of the roller enables guided relative movement along the guide assembly with low resistance.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A
AI summary
Production cell (62), having a transfer region, which has a bearing point (44) as transfer position for inserting and/or for removing a shaft (66), and having a guide arrangement for orienting and/or guiding a load crossmember (2) relative to the bearing point (44), wherein the guide arrangement has an axial stop surface for the abutment of an axial sliding element of the load crossmember (2), and wherein the guide arrangement has a radial stop surface for the abutment of a radial sliding element (14) of the load crossmember (2).