Profiled Rail Supports for Precise Positioning of Rollable Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for supporting rollable objects often damage the object's surface or deform under incorrect loading, and the toothing in known systems is coarse, leading to imprecise positioning.
Innovation Solution
The system features rails with a profiled surface along at least two sides and supporting parts with a complementary profiled surface, allowing for precise adjustment and distribution of forces over a larger surface, enabling accurate positioning of the supporting parts relative to the object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal rail with cross partitions is used, then the rail provides structural support and positioning, but the edges of the metal rail can damage the soft plastic supporting parts and the rail can bend under incorrect loading
Solution Approach 1:
The rail is manufactured entirely from plastic material, creating a homogeneous structure throughout. This eliminates the harmful interaction between hard metal edges and soft plastic supporting parts, as both components now have compatible material properties that prevent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic rail incorporates reinforcement elements (such as fiberglass or other strengthening materials) within the plastic matrix to achieve the necessary structural strength and stiffness without requiring metal components, thus maintaining material compatibility throughout the structure.
2Strength
If the toothing in the rail is made widely dimensioned to absorb forces, then the rail can handle loads better, but the toothing becomes coarse and does not allow precise positioning of the supporting parts
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism transitions from a coarse linear toothing system to a fine-adjustment system that operates in a different dimensional space, allowing precise positioning without requiring widely spaced toothing elements for force absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting part incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows dynamic repositioning along the rail, enabling precise positioning at any location rather than being constrained to fixed positions determined by coarse toothing spacing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If supporting parts are made from plastic with low E-modulus to conform to object contour, then the chance of peak loads and damage to the object decreases, but the supporting parts can be easily damaged by metal rail edges
Solution Approach 1:
Both the supporting parts and the rail are made from the same plastic material with compatible mechanical properties, eliminating the hardness mismatch that causes damage. The supporting parts maintain their low E-modulus for object protection while the plastic rail provides edges of comparable softness.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (1) for supporting a rollable object (4), such as a cylindrical container. The system comprises at least one elongated rail (2) and at least one supporting part. The rail (2) has a contact surface (6) for bearing on a base, and is furthermore provided, along at least two sides, with an at least partly profiled surface (5) for holding a supporting part (3) in position at least in a longitudinal direction of said elongated rail (2). The supporting part (3) comprises a supporting surface (7) for preventing a movement of the object (4) in a horizontal direction, and, optionally, for supporting the object (4) in a vertical direction, and a contact surface (8) for bearing on the rail (2) and/or the base. The supporting part (3) further comprises a passage (9) for receiving at least a part of the rail (2). This passage (9) is provided with an inner wall which is at least partly provided with a profiled surface (10) complementary to the profiled surface (5) of the two sides of the rail (2), for at least partly transmitting a force, applied to the supporting part in said longitudinal direction, to the rail (2).