Rotary Container Support Height Adjustment With Collision-Free Gear Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container transport devices require complex height adjustments and maintenance, which can be difficult due to the need for linear guides and locking components, complicating cleaning and maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotary unit and adjusting mechanism using a first gear element that rotates about a second axis to couple and decouple with an adjusting device, allowing collision-free rotation and simplified maintenance by eliminating the need for linear guides and locking components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If linear guides and locking components are used for height adjustment, then the adjusting device can maintain position, but the device complexity increases and maintenance/cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes linear guides and locking components from the adjusting device, extracting the problematic elements that caused complexity and maintenance difficulties while preserving the essential height adjustment and position maintaining functions through a simplified gear-based mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical system of linear guides and locking components with a gear-based mechanical system that achieves the same functions through rotational motion and gear engagement, simplifying the overall structure and improving maintainability
2Reliability
If linear guides and locking components are used for height adjustment, then the adjusting device can maintain position, but cleaning and maintenance processes become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes linear guides and locking components that created cleaning and maintenance difficulties, replacing them with a gear-based system that has fewer hidden surfaces and easier access for cleaning and maintenance operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses uniform gear components throughout the adjusting mechanism, where all parts have similar geometric characteristics that are easier to clean and maintain compared to the heterogeneous mix of linear guides, locking mechanisms, and adjustment components
3Device complexity
If the first gear element rotates about the second axis to couple and decouple, then the device structure is simplified, but collision-free rotation positioning becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary positioning features in the gear element design, such as pre-defined engagement positions and geometric constraints that guide the rotating gear into correct alignment before coupling, ensuring collision-free operation through pre-established geometric relationships rather than requiring high-precision dynamic control
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
Enables simplified maintenance and cleaning by avoiding collisions and eliminating the need for complex components, facilitating easy adjustment to accommodate different container heights.
Implementation Method 1
the drive device has a first gear element for driving the adjusting device by a rotation about a second axis
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~2a
Figure 2b~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for transporting containers (12), comprising a base unit (14) and a rotary unit (16) rotatably mounted on the base unit (14) about a first axis (18), wherein the rotary unit (16) comprises at least one support structure (20, 22) for containers (12) and at least one adjusting device (24) for adjusting a position of the support structure (20, 22) parallel to the first axis (18), and the device (10) has at least one drive device (26) for the adjusting device (24), wherein the rotary unit (16) has at least one coupling position when rotating about the first axis (18) in which the drive device (26) can be coupled to the adjusting device (24), wherein the drive device (26) has a first gear element (28) for driving the adjusting device (24) by a rotation about a second axis (30).wherein the first gear element (28) comprises at least one release position during this rotation, in which the first gear element (28) is arranged without collision with the adjusting device (24) when the rotary unit (16) rotates about the first axis (18), and wherein the first gear element (28) is coupled to the adjusting device (24) in the coupling position of the rotary unit (16), outside the release position for driving the adjusting device (24). The invention provides a device that allows simplified maintenance and/or cleaning.