Rotating Support for Powder Coating Station Feeding Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder coating stations require frequent manual loading and unloading of heavy containers, leading to operator fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders due to confined space operations.
Innovation Solution
A movable support system for powder coating stations that rotates or translates circularly, allowing easy access for loading and unloading containers outside the confined space, reducing the need for operators to carry heavy containers and minimizing musculoskeletal strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the support is fixed inside the carcass, then the container is correctly positioned for pump operation, but the operator must manually carry heavy containers in confined space leading to fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders
Solution Approach 1:
The support is transformed from a fixed structure to a movable one, capable of rotating between a first position (outside the carcass for easy loading) and a second position (inside the carcass for pump operation). This dynamic repositioning eliminates the need for operators to manually carry heavy containers in confined spaces, thereby reducing fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders while maintaining proper container positioning during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable support acts as an intermediary mechanism between the external loading area and the internal pump operation area. By rotating the support to different positions, it mediates the transfer of containers without requiring direct manual handling by operators in the confined space, thus solving the contradiction between ease of loading and operator safety.
2Ease of operation
If the support protrudes outside the carcass during operation, then loading is easier, but it obstructs the passage of operators and transport trolleys creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The support dynamically changes its position based on operational requirements. During loading/unloading operations, it protrudes outside the carcass for easy operator access. During pump operation, it rotates to a second position where it is retracted inside the carcass, eliminating obstruction to operators and transport trolleys. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between ease of access and safety.
3Productivity
If manual loading and unloading operations are performed frequently, then container supply is maintained, but operator fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support enables frequent loading and unloading operations to be performed easily by rotating to the first position, where containers can be accessed without manual carrying. This maintains high productivity in container supply while eliminating the repetitive manual handling that causes operator fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows operators to load and unload containers by simply rotating the support to the first position, where containers can be placed or removed without physical strain. The support structure itself facilitates the loading/unloading process rather than requiring operators to manually carry containers, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing physical effort.
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
Facilitates safe and efficient loading/unloading of powder coating containers, reducing operator fatigue and improving safety by keeping the support and container within the internal volume during transfer, thus preventing obstruction and injury risks.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for supplying the reservoir of fluidized coating product from the container carried by the support
Implementation Method 2
a reservoir of fluidized coating product
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
This powder coating product supply unit (10) for a powdering station (2) includes a fluidized coating product reservoir (102), a support (120) for receiving a coating product container (118, 119), a pump (112) for supplying the reservoir from the container, and a casing (104), which defines an internal volume (V104) for receiving the reservoir and which is provided with an opening (0104) for accessing the internal volume. The support (120) is mobile in rotation or in circular translation around at least one axis of rotation (Z120), in both directions, between a first loading/unloading position, in which the support (120) protrudes outside the internal volume (V104) of the casing (104), through the access opening (0104), and a second coating product transfer position, in which the support and a container in place on the support are included in this internal volume.