Modular Machine Support Frame With Adjustable Height and Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machine support frames for vibration-sensitive machines face challenges in providing adjustability and versatility while maintaining high stiffness and the ability to carry heavy loads, leading to long waiting times and high storage costs due to the need for custom designs and varied parts.
Innovation Solution
A modular machine support frame design comprising a top part, bottom part, and intermediate side plates with adjustable height, utilizing vertically extending slots and bolts to create friction connections, allowing for easy assembly from stock components and customizable height adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a custom-designed machine support frame is used to achieve high stiffness and load-carrying capacity, then the structural performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and storage costs increase due to the need for custom parts for each application
Solution Approach 1:
The machine support frame is divided into modular components: horizontal bars, vertical bars, and corner pieces that can be assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows a single set of standardized parts to serve multiple custom designs, reducing parts variety while maintaining the ability to achieve required stiffness and load-carrying capacity for different applications
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal and vertical bars are designed with universal connection features (slots and fasteners) that allow them to function in multiple positions and configurations. The same bar components can be used across different frame sizes and applications, eliminating the need for custom-designed parts for each specific machine support requirement
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed-design machine support frame is used to maintain structural integrity, then the stiffness is improved, but the adaptability to different machine sizes and installation requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame incorporates adjustable connection mechanisms with slots and movable fasteners that allow the structure to be configured in different arrangements. This dynamic adaptability enables the same frame components to be adjusted for different machine sizes and installation requirements while maintaining structural integrity through proper connection design
Solution Approach 2:
The connection points between horizontal and vertical bars feature localized adjustment mechanisms with slots positioned at specific intervals. This allows adjustment only where needed at connection points while maintaining rigid structural integrity in the bar elements themselves, achieving both adaptability and structural stability
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple custom parts are stored to accommodate different machine support requirements, then the adaptability is improved, but the storage costs and waiting times increase
Solution Approach 1:
A core set of universal horizontal bars, vertical bars, and corner pieces with standardized connection features can be combined in various configurations to create different frame sizes and designs. This reduces the parts inventory needed while maintaining the ability to accommodate different machine support requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The frame dimensions and configurations can be varied by changing the number and arrangement of modular components rather than requiring different custom parts. By adjusting parameters such as the number of bars or their positioning within the slot system, a limited inventory can support a wide range of configurations
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 modular design achieves sufficient stiffness and load-carrying capacity while enabling easy installation and reducing storage costs by using a limited set of stock components, effectively addressing the need for adjustability and versatility in machine support.
Implementation Method 1
respective friction connections are formed with at least two frictional surfaces on either side of the vertical sections between each side of the respective vertical section and side plate for the carrying of the top part of the frame
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A modular machine support frame (100) comprises a set of vertically (XZ,YZ) extending side plates (22) connected between top and bottom parts (10,30) of the frame. The side plates (22) are fixed by bolting (25) to respective vertical sections (11v,31v) formed by downward and upward (±Z) extending parts of horizontally elongate top and bottom bars (11,31), respectively. The top part (10) of the frame (100) is carried (C) by the side plates (22) at an adjustable height (H) from the floor (300). The vertical sections (11v,31v) comprise vertically extending elongate slots (11s,.) s for the bolting, 1 of the side plates, at a specific position ΔH along a length of the slots (11s, 31s) to determine the adjustable height (H). The respective vertical sections (11v,31v) of the top and bottom bars (11,31) are sandwiched between respective sets of at least two of the side plates (22).