Push-Chain Raising Mechanism for Reduced Height and Buckling Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Replacing an engagement chain with a push chain in a raising and lowering mechanism increases the height of the floor part due to buckling issues, necessitating a complex structure or reduced travel distance, which complicates the design and operation.
Innovation Solution
A push chain configuration with a first and second straight rod part, a bent part, a guide, and a sprocket that engages with the push chain to facilitate forward and backward movement, reducing buckling and enabling a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single push chain is used to replace the engagement chain, then cost is reduced and structure is simplified, but buckling of the push chain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is extended in the vertical direction (another dimension) to provide support against buckling. By increasing the guide height in the raising and lowering direction, the push chain receives adequate lateral support without requiring additional horizontal structures, thus preventing buckling while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide acts as an intermediary element between the push chain and the fixed structure. It provides the necessary support and constraint to the push chain, mediating the buckling force by transferring it to the fixed structure through the guide's vertical extension.
2Reliability
If the guide height is increased to reduce push chain buckling, then buckling resistance is improved, but the raising and lowering mechanism size becomes enormous
Solution Approach 1:
The guide's dimensional parameters are optimized by extending it only in the vertical direction (raising and lowering direction) rather than increasing horizontal dimensions. This parameter change allows the guide to provide adequate buckling resistance while controlling the overall mechanism size and maintaining a compact footprint.
3Length of stationary object
If the raising and lowering mechanism height is reduced, then floor part height is reduced, but the mechanism structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is oriented vertically (utilizing the vertical dimension) to provide buckling resistance without increasing horizontal space requirements. This dimensional orientation allows the mechanism to maintain a compact overall height while the guide's vertical extension provides the necessary structural support simplicity.
4Reliability
If the guide height is increased, then push chain buckling is reduced, but worker operational space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide's dimensional parameters are optimized by extending it only in the vertical direction with controlled height. This parameter change allows the guide to provide adequate buckling resistance while minimizing the encroachment on horizontal worker operational space, maintaining adequate workspace area.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a raising and lowering apparatus which enables achievement of a design that enables a reduction in height of a stage in a raising and lowering direction while reducing the buckling of a push chain. The raising and lowering apparatus includes a push chain (10), a stage (12), a guide (14), and a sprocket (16). The push chain has a first straight rod part (10A) that extends along a first direction (D1), a second straight rod part (10B) that extends along a second direction (D2), and a first bent part (10C) that is provided between the first straight rod part and the second straight rod part. The stage is formed on the first straight rod part and is raised and lowered along the first direction. The sprocket engages with a push chain on a side closer to the second straight rod part than to the first bent part.