Parallel Link Mechanism With Inclined Guides for Wider Turning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional parallel link mechanisms have a limited turning width, making it difficult to maintain a horizontal carrier part on steep slopes, particularly in industries like forestry, and result in increased device size when trying to expand the turning width.
Innovation Solution
The parallel link mechanism includes a base with guide members, moving bodies, a fixed link, a turning body, and movable links, with a sensor and processor to control the movement of the moving bodies and guide members to increase the turning width without enlarging the mechanism size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the size of the mechanism for causing the carrier part to be inclined is increased to increase the turning width, then the turning width is improved, but the size of the entire transfer device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are configured to be inclined relative to the base main body, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve horizontal turning width. By inclining the guide members that extend from the center portion toward the periphery, the moving bodies can traverse a larger effective radius when projected horizontally, thereby increasing the turning width of the carrier part without increasing the horizontal footprint or overall size of the mechanism.
2Length of moving object
If the size of the mechanism is increased to increase the turning width, then the turning width is improved, but the height of the carrier part increases causing difficulty in loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The inclination of the guide members redirects the mechanism's action into the vertical dimension, allowing the carrier part to achieve greater turning width through vertical displacement of the moving bodies along the inclined guides, rather than through horizontal extension that would increase carrier height.
3Length of moving object
If the size of the mechanism is increased to increase the turning width, then the turning width is improved, but the width of the transfer device increases causing difficulty in passing through roads
Solution Approach 1:
By inclining the guide members, the mechanism achieves increased turning width through vertical movement components rather than horizontal expansion. The moving bodies travel along inclined paths that project to a larger turning radius at the carrier level, while the base and guide members occupy a more compact horizontal footprint, thus avoiding increased device width.
Data Source
AI summary
A parallel link mechanism includes: a base including guide members; moving bodies capable of moving along the guide members; a fixed link having a base end portion fixed to the base and extending in a direction away from the base; a turning body being connected to a distal end portion of the fixed link and being turnable around the distal end portion; and movable links having base end portions connected to the moving bodies and distal end portions connected to the turning body and causing the turning body to turn along with movement of the moving bodies, the guide members being inclined so as to get closer to the turning body as the guide members get farther away from the center portion of the base main body.