Rotating Retaining Member With Cam Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mechanical devices for transferring and rotating objects suffer from reduced performance due to friction, wear, and potential jams, requiring frequent maintenance and having shorter component life.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features a stator with a cam profile and an axially extending follower that minimizes friction by ensuring the axis of rotation of the retaining member and the follower are always substantially incident and radial to the rotor's axis, reducing friction and wear, and allowing for faster operation with reduced maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cam-and-follower devices are used to rotate retaining members, then the device is more reliable and cost-effective compared to electrically-operated devices, but friction between the cam profile and follower results in decreased speed and reduced performance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidspeed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional cam-and-follower mechanical system with a direct-drive mechanical system where the retaining member is directly coupled to the rotor. This eliminates the intermediate cam profile and follower contact, thereby removing the source of friction while maintaining mechanical reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the cam profile and follower components from the system. By taking out these friction-generating elements, the patent achieves higher speed and performance while retaining the benefits of a purely mechanical drive system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If conventional cam-and-follower devices are used to rotate retaining members, then the device structure is established, but friction causes not negligible wear resulting in periodic maintenance and possible replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcomponent life

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the wear-prone cam-and-follower mechanical system with a direct-drive system. This substitution eliminates continuous sliding friction between separate components, dramatically reducing wear and extending the operational life of mechanical parts without requiring periodic maintenance or replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The direct-drive system is designed to be self-sustaining with minimal maintenance requirements. By eliminating friction-based wear, the system becomes self-service in terms of maintaining its mechanical integrity over extended periods without external intervention for component replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If conventional cam-and-follower devices are used with variable coupling, then the retaining members can be rotated, but jams and malfunctions may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation controlVSAvoidoperational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the variable coupling cam-and-follower system with a direct mechanical coupling between the rotor and retaining member. This direct connection eliminates the variable geometric relationships and potential misalignments inherent in cam profiles, thereby preventing jams and malfunctions while maintaining ease of rotation control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This configuration enhances the speed and efficiency of the apparatus, decreases wear on components, and reduces the likelihood of jams, resulting in a longer operating life and lower maintenance requirements.

Implementation Method 1

the stator is provided with a cam profile coupled to and functionally cooperating with at least one axially extending follower, wherein such a follower is constrained to a respective retaining member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

the axis of rotation of the retaining member and the axis of extension of the follower are always substantially incident to the axis of rotation of the rotor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction through radial alignment: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2984010B1Apparatus and process for transferring and rotating an object

Publication Date: 2017.03.22 INMAN SRL

AI summary

Apparatus (1) for transferring an object (2) from a first station to a second station with a different orientation compared to that at the first station, comprising a stator (3), a rotor (4) rotatable externally of the stator about an axis of rotation (4a), and at least one retaining member (5) for retaining said object; the retaining member (5) can rotate integrally with the rotor (4), and it is in turn rotatable with respect to the rotor about its own axis of rotation (5a); the stator (3) is provided with a cam profile (8) coupled to and functionally cooperating with at least one axially extending follower (9) which is constrained to the retaining member (5) in such a way as to cause it to be rotated about said axis of rotation thereof as a function of the relative position of the follower (9) with respect to the cam profile (8); the axis of rotation (5a) of the retaining member (5) and the axis of extension (9a) of the follower (9) are substantially always incident to the axis of rotation (4a) of the rotor (4).