Rotating Holding Elements for Variable Direction Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices with linear motor drive systems struggle to reliably convey products along tracks with variable conveying directions, as holding elements move relative to each other, causing products to be poorly secured, especially in curved sections.
Innovation Solution
A transport device featuring a pair of movable carriages with rotatably mounted holding elements and a connecting element, such as a connecting rod, that maintains the relative orientation of the holding elements, ensuring the product remains securely held even in curved sections, allowing for adjustable spacing to accommodate products of different dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If holding elements are rigidly fixed to carriages, then product holding is stable on straight tracks, but product holding becomes unreliable on curved tracks with variable conveying direction
Solution Approach 1:
The holding elements are made rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the conveying direction, allowing them to dynamically adjust their orientation as the carriages move along curved tracks. This dynamic capability enables the holding elements to maintain proper alignment and secure product holding regardless of changes in conveying direction, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If holding elements are made rotatable to accommodate curved tracks, then adaptability to variable conveying direction is improved, but relative orientation between holding elements becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
A connecting element is introduced as an intermediary between the holding elements of the first and second carriages. This connecting element maintains a fixed relative orientation between the holding elements while allowing each holding element to rotate independently to adapt to curved tracks. The connecting element acts as a mediator that preserves structural stability while enabling individual adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed spacing between holding elements is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different product dimensions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The distance between the holding elements is made adjustable rather than fixed. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the transport device to accommodate products of various dimensions by modifying the spacing between holding elements, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability to different product sizes.
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 ensures reliable product transportation along tracks with variable directions by maintaining a consistent holding position and allowing for adjustable spacing, accommodating various product sizes without the need for predefined formats, and can operate efficiently with either carriage actively driven.
Implementation Method 1
a linear motor drive device for driving the carriages, with each carriage having at least one permanent magnet which is operatively connected to the linear motor drive device
Implementation Method 2
at least the first carriage having at least one permanent magnet which is operatively connected to the linear motor drive device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The transport device (1) for conveying products (2) comprises at least one pair of movable carriages (6, 8) and a circumferentially arranged guide rail (4) for guiding the at least one pair of carriages (6, 8) one behind the other in a variable conveying direction (F). A linear motor drive device (10) serves to drive the at least one pair of carriages (6, 8). A holding element (16, 18) is provided on each of the first (6) and second carriages (8), the holding elements (16, 18) of the first (6) and second carriages (8) forming a product receiving space (13) between them. The holding elements (16, 18) on the first (6) and second carriages (8) are each rotatably mounted about a pivot axis (20, 22; 50, 52) that extends substantially perpendicular to the variable conveying direction (F).At least one connecting element (24, 54) is provided for connecting the retaining elements (16, 18) of the first (6) and second slide (8) in such a way that a relative orientation of the retaining elements (16, 18) to each other is defined.