Roller-Supported Gripping Clamps for Container Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container transport systems experience high wear and tear and lack precision due to sliding friction in clamp mechanisms, particularly at high speeds, leading to inadequate performance in gripping and releasing containers.
Innovation Solution
A device with rotatable clamp arms featuring a roller element that transitions between gripping and release positions through a rolling movement, reducing wear and enhancing precision using a cam-controlled actuating mechanism with rotatable roller elements and a resilient spring-loaded system for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sliding friction mechanisms (rotary cam with lever) are used to control clamps, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but wear and tear increases rapidly and service life decreases at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional sliding friction mechanical system (rotary cam with lever) with a rolling friction system using roller elements. The roller elements rotate on the clamp arms and engage with the cam profile, converting sliding friction into rolling friction. This substitution dramatically reduces wear and tear while maintaining the simplicity of the cam-based actuation mechanism, thereby extending service life at high speeds.
2Ease of operation
If leaf springs with rotary cam are used to open clamps, then the mechanism can be activated, but the roller loses contact with the lever causing sudden clamp opening and imprecise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the leaf spring-based sudden release mechanism with a cam-controlled rolling system. The cam profile is designed to maintain continuous contact with the roller elements throughout the clamp opening motion, providing smooth and controlled movement. This eliminates the sudden release caused by roller detachment, ensuring precise positioning and controlled operation throughout the entire cycle.
3Device complexity
If traditional clamp mechanisms are used, then the device complexity is low, but wear and tear increases rapidly reducing reliability at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces roller elements that rotate on the clamp arms, replacing traditional sliding contact mechanisms. This substitution converts high-friction sliding interfaces into low-friction rolling interfaces, dramatically reducing wear and tear. The added complexity of the roller elements is minimal compared to the significant gain in reliability and service life at high speeds.
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 solution significantly reduces wear and tear and improves precision in container handling by utilizing rolling friction and a secure, prestressed clamp mechanism, preventing sudden release and ensuring accurate positioning during high-speed transport.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the rolling friction, there is less wear on the functional parts
Data Source
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Figure 5~7b
AI summary
Device for transporting containers with a movable and, in particular, rotatable carrier on which a plurality of gripping devices for gripping containers are arranged, wherein these gripping devices are designed as gripping clamps, and wherein these clamps each have at least two clamping arms which are movable between a first position, in which they grip the containers to be transported, and a second position, wherein the gripping clamps have contact sections which are suitable and intended to contact the containers and wherein a positioning mechanism is further provided which is suitable for moving the gripping devices between the first position and the second position, characterized in that this positioning mechanism has at least one roller element arranged on at least one of the clamping arms and rotatable with respect to this clamping arm and with respect to a predetermined axis of rotation.