Multi-Axis Tilting Rail System for Uniform Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating systems for industrial processing are limited in their ability to independently control the orientation of multiple fixtures, leading to increased cost and complexity, as they typically allow tilting only about a single axis.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a set of rails that span across multiple stations, allowing objects to be tilted in unison about multiple parallel axes by adjusting the vertical positions of the rails, enabling simultaneous tilting in various directions for uniform coating and drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If independent control of individual fixtures is implemented, then tilting precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple fixtures onto a single tilting mechanism. Instead of each fixture having independent control, all fixtures are coupled to a common tilting mechanism that tilts them in unison about parallel axes, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adequate tilting precision for batch processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The common tilting mechanism serves multiple fixtures simultaneously, making it a universal control system. This single mechanism performs the tilting function for all fixtures in the batch, eliminating the need for multiple independent control systems while still achieving the required tilting precision for uniform coating and drainage.
2Device complexity
If single-axis tilting is used, then device complexity is reduced, but coating uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multi-axis tilting capability by enabling fixtures to tilt about multiple parallel axes (first axis and second axis) rather than a single axis. This dimensional expansion allows objects to be tilted in various directions, ensuring all surfaces are properly oriented for uniform coating application and effective drainage, while still using a relatively simple common tilting mechanism.
3Manufacturing precision
If multi-axis tilting is implemented, then coating uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tilting functions into a single common tilting mechanism that can tilt fixtures about parallel axes. This merging approach achieves multi-axis tilting capability without requiring separate mechanisms for each axis, thereby improving coating uniformity while avoiding proportional increases in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a plurality of stations positioned along a direction of conveyance. Rails span the length of all stations and include at least first, second, and third rails configured for independent vertical movement. A plurality of objects is supported by and movable along the first, second, and third rails between the stations. Each of the plurality of objects has first, second, and third supports coupled to the respective first, second, and third rails so that all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a first set of parallel axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a first configuration of vertical heights, and all of the plurality of objects tilt in unison about a second set of parallel axes in response to the first, second, and third rails being positioned in a second configuration of vertical heights.