Resilient Pushing Mechanism for High-Speed Product Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses face challenges in transporting and controlled discharging of relatively heavy products at high speeds without incurring unacceptable collision forces, as they often result in rough contacts and inefficient energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a resilient connection between the pushing member and the guide, allowing for a low damping factor that absorbs collision energy, enabling smooth contact and optimal use of returning energy during the discharging process, with the resilient element being strategically placed close to the actuator to minimize collision forces and maximize the suspended portion of the pushing member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a rigid connection is used between the pushing member and the guide, then the pushing member can effectively transfer force to the product, but high collision forces occur when the actuator contacts the guide
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient connection is introduced between the pushing member and the guide to absorb collision energy before it can cause harmful effects. The resiliency acts as a cushion that deforms during actuator-guide contact, reducing peak collision forces while still enabling effective product pushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the pushing member and the guide is changed from rigid to resilient, altering the mechanical properties of the system. This parameter change allows the connection to deform elastically during collision, absorbing energy and reducing harmful forces while maintaining pushing effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the resiliency is placed close to the actuator, then collision forces are minimized, but space is required at the upper side of the support tray
Solution Approach 1:
The resiliency is positioned vertically between the pushing member and the guide, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than horizontal space. This allows the resilient element to be integrated into the existing structure without requiring additional horizontal space on the support tray.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a high damping factor is used in the resilient connection, then collision energy is absorbed, but the additional force on the product during pushing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The damping factor of the resilient connection is optimized to a specific range that balances collision energy absorption with maintaining sufficient pushing force. This parameter optimization ensures that the resiliency is sufficiently resilient to absorb collisions but sufficiently stiff to transmit adequate pushing force to the product.
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 approach allows for the efficient transportation and controlled discharge of heavy products at high speeds by minimizing collision forces and optimizing the use of spring energy, ensuring a smooth and effective discharging process.
Implementation Method 1
the resiliency serves to absorb the collision energy upon initially contacting the product and support tray
Implementation Method 2
the damping factor of the resilient connection has such a low value that the process of compression and expansion of the resiliency substantially occurs within a period of contact of the actuator and the guide
Implementation Method 3
the returning energy of the resiliency to discharge the product is used optimally
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3f
AI summary
An apparatus (1) for transport and controlled discharge of products (2) comprises a guide (7) , a transport unit (3) including a support tray (4) for supporting a product and driving means for transporting the transport unit (3) in a transporting direction (X). The transport unit (3) is provided with a pushing member (6) which is displaceable with respect to the support tray (4) in a displacement direction extending transversely with respect to the transporting direction for pushing a product from the support tray. The pushing member (6) is provided with a pushing portion (10) which pushes against a product under operating conditions and an actuator (8) which is guidable along said guide (7) such that under operating conditions the pushing portion (10) is displaced with respect to the support tray (4) upon moving the transport unit in the transporting direction when the actuator (8) contacts the guide (7) . The pushing member (6) forms a substantially closed construction that surrounds the support tray (4) in a plane extending transversely with respect to the displacement direction of the pushing member. The transport unit (3) is provided with a pushing member guide (11) along which the pushing member (6) is mainly guided in the displacement direction under operating conditions. The pushing member guide (11) extends at the underside of the support tray (4).