Rotatable Alignment Assembly for Smooth Guide Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load conveyance systems with successive guides of different structural and geometric characteristics, such as cables and tracks, experience discontinuity and impacts during sliding movement, leading to damage and inefficient conveyance.

Innovation Solution

An alignment assembly with a first guide having a rotatable second section that constrains and overlaps with a second guide, allowing smooth transition between guides by rotating to maintain alignment and prevent impacts, and optionally incorporating a spring element for stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If guides of different structural and geometric characteristics are connected in succession, then the conveyance path can be formed between departure and arrival stations, but discontinuity and impacts occur during sliding movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to form conveyance path with different guide typesVSAvoidsmoothness of sliding movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an alignment assembly as an intermediary component between the first guide and second guide. This assembly includes a rotatable second section that acts as a mediator to bridge the discontinuity between guides of different characteristics, allowing smooth transition without direct impact between the guides themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the second section rotatable relative to the first guide. This rotational degree of freedom allows the alignment assembly to adapt dynamically to different guide configurations and maintain proper alignment during sliding movement, preventing impacts caused by rigid connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If guides with different structural characteristics are used, then various movement paths and directions can be achieved, but the element in sliding movement undergoes impacts at the interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to change movement direction and pathVSAvoidimpacts on the element during sliding

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment assembly serves as a mediator between guides of different characteristics, absorbing and distributing the transition forces. The rotatable second section acts as a buffer that prevents direct impacts on the sliding element by gradually transitioning the movement path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment assembly is pre-configured with the rotational capability to adjust the angle between guides before the sliding element arrives. This preliminary alignment preparation ensures that the element encounters minimal resistance and no impacts when transitioning between different guide types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Length of stationary object

If multiple guides are positioned consecutively, then the conveyance path can be extended, but the number of discontinuities and impacts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength of conveyance pathVSAvoidnumber of smooth transitions

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the conveyance system into multiple guide sections connected by alignment assemblies. Each alignment assembly is an independent unit that handles the transition between guides, allowing the overall system to be extended in length while maintaining reliable smooth transitions at each segment junction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By introducing alignment assemblies as intermediary components at each guide junction, the patent ensures that each transition point maintains smooth operation. This mediator approach prevents the accumulation of impacts across multiple consecutive guides, maintaining reliability throughout the extended conveyance path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 alignment assembly ensures seamless sliding between guides with different characteristics, reducing impacts and enhancing the smoothness of conveyance, applicable to systems like ziplines for conveying persons or objects.

Implementation Method 1

a second section (12), rotatably constrained to the first section (11) in a point (P)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

optionally incorporating a spring element for stabilization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS20250100591A1Alignment between two guides

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 ADRENALINE X TREME ADVENTURES GRP SRL

AI summary

An alignment assembly that includesa first guide, a first section identifying a first axis,a second guide, extending prevalently along a second axis between a first end portion, constrained to the first guide, and a second end portion,wherein the first guide also includes a second section, rotatably constrained to the first section in a point, and configured to rotate about a rotation axis passing through the point and perpendicular to the first axis. The second guide is constrained to the first guide at the second section and is integrally movable with said second section.