Parallelogram Linkage for Gravity-Assisted Immersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing immersion treatment systems require complex and costly designs to lower objects into treatment liquids, often necessitating large installation spaces and significant control technology efforts due to the need for precise vertical movement mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The connecting structure between the support platform and the object is designed to minimize vertical distance from the axis of rotation, allowing gravity to facilitate vertical movement without additional motor-driven components, utilizing a rotating transport trolley with a parallelogram guide mechanism that unfolds under gravity, enabling complete immersion and efficient vertical movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a motor-driven support platform is used to achieve vertical movement for immersion, then precise control of vertical position is achieved, but device complexity and control technology requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical position controlVSAvoidcontrol technology
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting structure uses gravity as the driving force to automatically unfold and lower the object into the treatment liquid, eliminating the need for motor-driven vertical movement control. The structure serves itself by using its own weight to achieve the immersion function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows the object to move vertically under gravity without requiring active control to maintain specific positions. The system accepts positions along the gravitational field gradient, eliminating the need for precise position control during immersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Weight of moving object

If elaborate support frames are used to handle high forces for heavy objects, then objects of considerable weight can be immersed, but device complexity and construction costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject weight capacityVSAvoidsupport frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting structure transitions from a static rigid support to a dynamic mechanism that unfolds during immersion. The parallelogram linkage allows the structure to adapt its configuration during movement, distributing forces more efficiently without requiring overly robust support frames.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting structure is divided into multiple linkages (first linkage, second linkage, third linkage) that work together in a parallelogram mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to handle portions of the load and movement, reducing the complexity requirements for the overall support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid connection between object and support platform is used, then structural stability is maintained, but vertical movement requires additional motorized mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvertical movement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the support platform and object transitions from rigid to dynamic. The parallelogram linkage provides a stable geometric relationship while allowing the necessary vertical movement through controlled unfolding, maintaining structural integrity without rigid fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Speed

If the axis of rotation is located far outside the contour of the vehicle body, then rotational movement is achieved, but installation space in the vertical direction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational movementVSAvoidvertical installation space
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting structure folds up in the transport position, nesting the linkages in a compact configuration above the support platform. During immersion, the structure unfolds to achieve the necessary vertical distance, providing both compact transport and adequate operational space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

This design simplifies the system, reduces construction and control technology costs, and achieves efficient vertical movement of objects into treatment liquids with minimal equipment, allowing for flexible and space-efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

when rotating from this first position under the influence of gravity without additional motor action, there is an increasing increase in the vertical distance between the object and the axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2817250B1Immersion treatment installation
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 EISENMANN SE
  • EP2817250B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2817250B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2817250B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A description is given of an immersion treatment installation (1), which comprises at least one immersion tank (2) in a way known per se. A conveying system (4, 5) brings the items (3) to be treated up to the immersion tank (2), into the space inside the immersion tank (2), out of it and away from it. The conveying system (4, 5) comprises at least one transporting carriage (5), which has a carrying platform (14), which is pivotable about a pivot axis (15) and to which at least one item (3) can be fastened with the aid of a connecting structure (18, 19, 20, 21, 22). This connecting structure (18, 19, 20, 21, 22) is movable on its own to such an extent that, with increasing pivoting from the unimmersed position, the distance between the item (3) and the pivot axis (15) becomes increasingly greater under the influence of gravitational force.