Pallet Changing Apparatus Compact Design via Dynamic Covering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet changing apparatus configurations that include a rising portion with an oscillating center axis at the leading end of the table, which moves back and forth relative to the turning shaft, face challenges in achieving a compact design due to space constraints and complex control requirements, as they hinder the turning of pallet changing arms and occupy significant space.
Innovation Solution
A pallet changing apparatus configuration where the bridging extending portion of the pallet changing arms covers across the upper side of the rising portion during pallet transfer, allowing the rising portion to be positioned near the turning shaft, thereby avoiding obstruction and enabling a compact design by shortening the pallet changing arm length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the table is provided with a rising portion that moves back and forth relative to the turning shaft, then the workpiece can be oscillated freely for convenient cutting, but the rising portion hinders the turning of the pallet changing arm and occupies significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The covering portion is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to move together with the turning shaft and pallet changing arms. This dynamic configuration enables the covering portion to adapt its position during operation, clearing the path for the rising portion to move back and forth while maintaining protection of the turning supporting portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the conflict resolution to a different spatial dimension by making the covering portion rotate and move vertically along with the turning shaft, rather than being stationary in the horizontal plane. This allows the covering portion to clear the rising portion's path in the vertical dimension while still providing protection.
2Reliability
If the turning shaft firmly fixes the covering portion, then the turning supporting portion is protected from chips, but the space occupied by the turning shaft makes the hindering problem worse
Solution Approach 1:
The covering portion is merged with the turning shaft and pallet changing arms as a single movable assembly. Instead of being a separate fixed component, it becomes an integrated part of the moving mechanism, eliminating the need for additional space and allowing coordinated movement during pallet changing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering portion serves multiple functions: it protects the turning supporting portion from chips, acts as part of the movable assembly that clears the rising portion's path, and maintains structural integrity during rotation and vertical movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
3Speed
If the constituents are arranged at side portions in a direction orthogonal to the table's movement direction, then the table can move back and forth, but a space region is necessary at the side portion for changing pallet, making it impossible to achieve a compact apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The turning shaft and covering portion are designed to move dynamically during the pallet changing process, rotating and moving vertically to clear the rising portion's path. This dynamic motion allows the system to achieve compact arrangement while maintaining full table movement capability and pallet changing function.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A paiiet changing apparatus which adopts a table 4 that is able to move back and forth in relation to a turning shaft 1 and has a oscillating portion 41 for placing workpieces W, W' by way of pallets P, P' so as to oscillate freely by means of a rising portion 42 at the leading end of the table, and a bridging extending portion 31 which briges supporting portion of pallet P or P' in a pallet changing arm 3 with the both sides of the turning shaft 1 forms a shape of covering across upper side of the rising portion 42 at a stage of the table 4 transferring pallet P.