Segmented Lamella Protection Assembly for Wide Machine Covers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protection devices with metal lamellae and bellows are cumbersome and difficult to assemble, especially for large dimensions, leading to complex and costly assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A protection device comprising movable metal lamellae with dragging modules that include bellows pieces, supporting frames, and extension limiting straps, allowing easy assembly and adaptation to various dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large bellows is used to cover the entire rear area of the protection device, then the protection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is divided into multiple metal lamellae (first front wall and second rear wall) that can be assembled separately and then coupled together. Each lamella can be handled and assembled independently, avoiding the need to assemble a single large bellows structure. The lamellae are coupled through connecting elements that join them in a modular fashion, significantly simplifying the assembly process while maintaining full protection coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If metal lamellae are made movable to allow relative motion, then the adaptability to different configurations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal lamellae are designed with movable connections that allow relative motion between adjacent lamellae. The connecting elements include movable joints that enable the lamellae to adjust their positions while maintaining the protective barrier function. This dynamic design allows the protection device to adapt to different configurations and accommodate movements of the protected equipment without requiring a completely rigid structure.
3Area of stationary object
If the protection device is designed for large width dimensions, then the protection coverage is improved, but the bellows becomes particularly cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large bellows structure, the protection device uses multiple smaller metal lamellae that can be manufactured and handled more easily. Each lamella has manageable dimensions, making them easier to transport, assemble, and maintain. The modular segmented design allows the overall protection width to be achieved through the combination of multiple smaller units rather than one large cumbersome piece.
4Reliability
If the lamellae are tightly overlapped to ensure continuous protection, then the protection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting elements are designed to merge adjacent metal lamellae into a unified protective structure. The connecting elements include features that join the lamellae together while maintaining their relative movability. This merging approach ensures that the gaps between lamellae are minimized or eliminated, providing continuous protection while using a relatively simple coupling mechanism rather than complex interlocking systems.
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
Enables simple, quick, and cost-effective assembly of a protection device that provides continuous isolation, adaptable to different sizes, ensuring efficient protection against coolant, oils, and chips.
Implementation Method 1
Each dragging module (4) comprises: a bellows piece (5); a plurality of supporting frames (6)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A protection device (100), comprising: - a plurality of metal lamellae (1), each having a first front wall (2A) and a second rear wall (2B), arranged as a sequence and overlapped with each other so that the first front walls (2A) define, as a whole, a continuous closing surface (3), said lamellae (1) being relatively movable along a first moving direction (D1) in order to modify in at least an area of the continuous closing surface (3) the overlapping degree between at least a portion of said metal lamellae (1), - a plurality of dragging modules (4), arranged at the second rear wall (2B) of the lamellae (1) in different operative regions (R1, R2, R3) with respect to a second direction (D2) orthogonal to the first direction (D1) so to occupy only partially the rear area corresponding to the closing surface (3), each dragging module (4) comprising: - a bellows piece (5); - a plurality of supporting frames (6); - an extension limiting strap (7); and wherein - each supporting frame (6) is fastened to the second wall (2B) of a metal lamella (1) at a coupling area; - said bellows piece (5) is interposed and blocked between each supporting frame (6) and the respective metal lamella (1) so to define ridges (C) and valleys (V) between each supporting frame (6) and the next one.