Noise Reducing Bumpers for Automated Puck Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Product holding pucks used in automated production lines generate substantial noise due to collisions, which affects employee comfort and productivity, and existing pucks lack noise reduction features despite being durable.
Innovation Solution
A product holding puck design featuring radially extending noise-reducing bumpers and potting material, where the bumpers are securely positioned within a cavity defined by the puck's outer and inner walls, utilizing softer materials than the puck's base to absorb collision noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard plastic material is used for puck fabrication, then durability is improved, but noise generation during collisions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The puck is divided into two functional parts: a hard plastic base structure for durability and support, and separate softer bumper components attached to the outer surface. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the hard base provides structural integrity while the soft bumpers absorb collision noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The puck uses a composite structure combining hard plastic and softer material components. The hard plastic base maintains durability and structural strength, while the softer bumper materials (such as rubber or thermoplastic elastomer) attached to the outer surface reduce noise during collisions by absorbing impact energy.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If bumper components are added to reduce noise, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire puck structure complex or soft, the softer bumper materials are applied only locally at the outer surface where collisions occur. This localized approach reduces noise at the critical collision points while keeping the rest of the puck structure simple and maintaining its structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The softer bumper components act as intermediary elements between the hard plastic puck and external objects during collisions. These bumpers serve as a mediating layer that absorbs impact energy and reduces noise transmission, while the hard plastic base remains protected and maintains its structural function.
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 design significantly reduces noise from puck collisions by converting base-to-base collisions into bumper-to-bumper or bumper-to-base collisions, thereby minimizing noise generation and enhancing employee comfort and focus.
Implementation Method 1
noise reducing pieces or bumpers that extend radially outwardly beyond an outer wall of the puck
Implementation Method 2
utilizing softer materials than the puck's base to absorb collision noise
Data Source
AI summary
A product holding puck having a base including an outer wall and a radially spaced apart inner wall defining a cavity between the outer and inner walls, the outer and inner walls extending axially about a central vertical axis. The outer wall of the puck defining first and second recessed regions and first and second openings respectively aligned with the first and second recessed regions and extending through the outer wall. The puck further including first and second bumpers each including a body and a support member, the support member extending axially through a respective ones of the first and second openings of the outer wall and the body disposed in a respective ones of the first and second recessed regions of the outer wall, the body of each of the first and second bumpers including an outer face extending radially outwardly of an outer surface of the outer wall.