Adjustable Rail Support for Rollable Objects With Profiled Locking
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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 these systems is coarse, leading to imprecise positioning.
Innovation Solution
A system with rails and supporting parts featuring profiled surfaces along multiple sides, allowing for precise adjustment and distribution of forces over a larger surface, enabling accurate positioning and reduced risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal rail with cross partitions is used to support plastic supporting parts, then the supporting parts can be positioned and forces can be transmitted, but the metal rail edges can damage the soft plastic and the rail can bend under incorrect loading
Solution Approach 1:
The rail and supporting parts are both made of plastic material, creating a homogeneous material system. This eliminates the harmful effect of metal edges damaging the plastic, as the plastic-on-plastic contact is gentler and more compatible. The supporting parts maintain their structural integrity while being supported by the plastic rail.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic rail incorporates a metal core inside the plastic structure, creating a composite material system. The metal core provides the necessary strength and stiffness to prevent rail bending under load, while the outer plastic layer protects the supporting parts from damage. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between strength and harm prevention.
2Measurement precision
If traditional toothing is used in the rail, then supporting parts can be positioned, but the toothing deforms easily under load and positioning precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism transitions from a 1D toothing system to a 2D profiled surface system. The profiled surfaces extend along the longitudinal direction of the rail, distributing the load across a larger area and preventing deformation. This dimensional expansion maintains positioning precision while eliminating the weakness of traditional toothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function and load-bearing function are merged into a single profiled surface structure. Instead of separate toothing for positioning and rail structure for load-bearing, the profiled surfaces perform both functions simultaneously, eliminating the deformation issue of dedicated toothing while maintaining positioning capability.
3Strength
If cross partitions are welded in the rail to transmit forces, then the rail can bear loads, but the welding process is labour-intensive and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical welding process is replaced with an injection molding process. The plastic rail is molded as a single piece or in sections that are joined without welding. The force transmission is achieved through the molded-in structure of the rail and supporting parts, eliminating the need for labor-intensive welding operations while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing method changes from post-production welding to integrated injection molding. This parameter change in the manufacturing process eliminates multiple steps (welding, inspection, rework) and reduces labor intensity while maintaining or improving the force transmission capability through optimized structural design.
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
The system allows for accurate adjustment and positioning of supporting parts relative to the object, reducing the risk of damage and deformation, while maintaining a stable and precise fit.
Implementation Method 1
The plastic used has a relatively low E-modulus so that, when loaded, the supporting part conforms to some extent to the contour of the object to be supported
Implementation Method 2
the at least one rail is provided, along at least two sides, with an at least partly profiled surface. In addition, the passage of the at least one supporting part is provided with a complimentary profiled surface. When the supporting part has been placed on the rail, this enables the profiled surfaces of the rail and the supporting part to intermesh
Data Source
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).