Structural Profile Rotator With Side-By-Side Hydraulic Cylinders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing structural profile rotators face issues with hydraulic cylinder maintenance due to piston rod bending, interference between cylinders, and space constraints, limiting versatility and maintenance accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A structural profile rotator design with two blades attached to a spindle, allowing for variable angle adjustment, where one blade is fixed and the other is actuated by a pushing member, and both are rotated by separate devices, reducing interference and facilitating maintenance, with components accessible from the sides and on different horizontal planes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic cylinders are disposed one on top of the other in parallel, then the rotator can achieve the required rotation function, but the piston rods may interfere with each other when bent, hindering normal operation and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotator operation reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement of hydraulic cylinders (one on top of the other) to a horizontal arrangement (side by side). This dimensional change eliminates interference between piston rods while maintaining the rotator's functional requirements, and significantly improves maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If hydraulic cylinders are disposed close to each other, then space occupation is reduced, but maintenance and inspection become difficult requiring withdrawal from track and dismantling of protective cover

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupationVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging hydraulic cylinders horizontally side by side rather than vertically stacked, the patent achieves both compact space utilization and improved maintenance accessibility. The side-by-side configuration allows maintenance personnel to access the cylinders without withdrawing the rotator from the track or dismantling the protective cover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of stationary object

If dimensions and runs of hydraulic cylinders are restricted to fit within protective cover, then the rotator can be housed within the cover, but this limits the number of components that can be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective cover volumeVSAvoidcomponent selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal arrangement of hydraulic cylinders side by side provides more flexible space utilization within the protective cover. This configuration allows for larger cylinder dimensions and runs without compromising the overall compactness, thereby enabling greater selection of suitable components for different application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2792449B1Structural profile rotator, and rotator and conveyor assembly
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 GEKA AUTOMATION SL
  • EP2792449B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2792449B1 patent drawingFigure 1d~2a
  • EP2792449B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

Structural profile rotator that can be used with a structural profile conveyor device. The rotator (150) comprises two blades (10,40) attached to a spindle (5) and which define between them a variable angle, comprised for example between 90º and 180º, a pushing member (35) disposed below the first blade (10) and arranged to push the second blade (40) so that it rotates about the spindle (5); and rotation members (80a, 80b), which may be parallel to the second blade (40) arranged to rotate said spindle (5).