Lockable Gas Spring Extraction Arm for Continuous Angular Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extraction arms for fumes and pollutants face limitations in angular position adjustment due to mechanical lever systems with toothed wheels, leading to jamming, wear, and frequent maintenance needs, restricting flexibility and maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of lockable gas springs between tube joints, allowing continuous adjustment and reducing maintenance requirements, with locking mechanisms for precise positioning and enhanced maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical lever systems with toothed wheels are used for angular position adjustment, then discrete angular positions can be achieved, but the range of obtainable angular positions is limited and the gear becomes jammed due to high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lever and toothed wheel system with a pneumatic system using compressed air. The compressed air acts on a membrane to move a piston, which in turn moves a sector gear to engage with a pinion gear. This pneumatic actuation mechanism eliminates the direct mechanical leverage that causes high pressure and jamming in traditional systems, providing both continuous angular adjustment and reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses compressed air as the driving force for angular position adjustment. The pneumatic system includes a membrane, piston, and linkage mechanism that converts pneumatic pressure into rotational movement of the extraction arm. This pneumatic actuation provides smooth, continuous adjustment without the discrete steps and high contact pressures associated with mechanical lever systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical friction means are used to enable adjustable tilting, then continuous angular adjustment is possible, but frequent maintenance and adjustment works are required due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces friction-based mechanical adjustment with a pneumatic actuation system. Instead of relying on friction between contact surfaces to hold position, the system uses compressed air to move a piston that positions a sector gear engaging with a pinion gear. This positive engagement mechanism eliminates wear from sliding friction and removes the need for frequent maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic system is designed to be self-regulating through the engagement of the sector gear with the pinion gear. Once the desired angular position is achieved through pneumatic actuation, the gear engagement automatically maintains the position without requiring additional friction-based locking mechanisms or frequent operator intervention for maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If toothed wheel engagement coupling is used for swivel joint locking, then discrete angular positions can be locked, but high pressure causes gear jamming requiring additional user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses compressed air to actuate the angular position adjustment mechanism. The pneumatic pressure moves a piston connected to a sector gear that engages with a pinion gear on the swivel joint. This pneumatic actuation provides the force needed to overcome friction and engage the gears without requiring significant user effort, while still achieving secure locking at the desired angular position.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic system provides a counterbalancing force that offsets the weight and friction of the extraction arm segments. The compressed air pressure on the piston creates a force that balances the gravitational and frictional forces, making it easy to adjust and lock angular positions without requiring the user to overcome these forces directly.
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
The solution provides a highly flexible and low-maintenance extraction arm with improved angular position adjustment capabilities, reducing wear and maintenance needs, while enhancing handling and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
said adjustment means comprises at least one gas spring (13) of the lockable type which is intended to generate a thrust action onto the second tube (8)
Implementation Method 2
which source may support a plurality of extraction arms of the type described herein, within an extraction plant
Data Source
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AI summary
An extraction arm, comprising a first tube (2) provided on top with connection means for connecting to a pneumatic vacuum source, a second tube (8) connected to a lower end (2b) of the first tube (2) by means of a first joint (9) configured at least to enable rotation of the second tube (8) relative to the first tube (2), a suction nozzle (10) disposed at a free end of said arm (1) and adjustment means (12) acting between the first and second tube (2, 8), wherein said adjustment means (12) comprises at least one gas spring (13) of the lockable type, operationally active between the first and second tube (2, 8), and a mechanism for locking and unlocking the gas spring (13), which mechanism is configured to adjust the locking position of the spring (13) in a continuous manner between a maximum stroke position and a minimum stroke position.