Self-Holding Holding Element Vertical Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveying systems for the food-processing industry require complex adjustments for vertical positioning of articles, involving multiple mechanisms and increased apparatus outlay, which complicates the process and reduces reliability.
Innovation Solution
A self-holding device with a hollow cylinder and inner cylinder configuration allows holding elements to be vertically adjustable by acting solely in the axial direction, using frictional engagement and a spring force for locking and releasing, minimizing apparatus outlay while ensuring robust and reliable vertical adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complex adjustment mechanisms are used for vertical positioning of articles, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element performs self-locking through its own weight and the cam mechanism. When the holding element is lowered, its weight automatically engages the cam with the guide element's cam surface, locking the position without requiring external locking mechanisms. This self-service approach achieves reliable vertical positioning while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the holding element and the guide element. The cam surface on the guide element translates the vertical movement of the holding element into a locking engagement, providing precise positioning control without complex adjustment mechanisms. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by simplifying the overall system while maintaining positioning precision.
2Reliability
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are used for vertical positioning, then positioning reliability is improved, but apparatus outlay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the weight of the holding element itself as the locking force. The holding element's downward movement automatically engages the cam mechanism, and its weight provides the necessary force to maintain reliable locking. This eliminates the need for additional motors, sensors, or locking devices, reducing apparatus outlay while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of vertical positioning and locking from complex multi-component mechanisms and implements it through a single integrated cam-based system. By taking out only the necessary locking function and implementing it through the cam surface and holding element weight, the system achieves reliable positioning with minimal apparatus outlay.
3Device complexity
If simple adjustment mechanisms are used for vertical positioning, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism introduces a geometric dimension to the simple vertical movement. The cam surface's angled geometry converts the straightforward vertical lowering of the holding element into a precise positioning action. This dimensional transformation allows a simple mechanism to achieve precise vertical positioning by utilizing the geometric properties of the cam surface.
4Reliability
If multiple locking mechanisms are used for holding elements, then locking reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element automatically locks itself through its weight and the cam mechanism during the lowering process. No separate locking action or additional mechanism is required - the system uses the holding element's own weight to engage the cam and maintain the locked position. This self-service locking improves ease of operation while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam surface acts as an intermediary that automatically engages when the holding element is lowered. This intermediary mechanism provides reliable locking without requiring manual intervention or complex locking procedures. The cam's geometric design ensures that locking occurs naturally as part of the positioning action, improving ease of operation while maintaining locking reliability.
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, robust, and reliable vertical adjustment of conveyed articles by reducing the need for multiple mechanisms, allowing the holding elements to be locked and released efficiently, thus optimizing the vertical positioning of articles during processing.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element (28) arranged in the receiving space (20) and adapted for applying a spring force to the stop element (21) in the downward direction
Implementation Method 2
the stop element (21) is adapted to come into frictional engagement with the inner cylinder (19) through the hollow cylinder (18)
Data Source
AI summary
A conveying apparatus for food-processing industry articles includes a conveying device to convey articles in a transport direction with holding elements adapted for receiving the articles. At least one guide extends in the transport direction, and guides guide elements arranged thereon in the transport direction. One holding element is vertically adjustably arranged on each guide element. Controllable adjusting means are arranged on the conveying line for adjusting the vertical position of the holding elements relative to the respective guide element. The adjusting means controllably come into adjusting engagement with passing holding elements to adjust the holding element vertical position. Each holding elements is arranged on the respective guide element by a self-holding device configured such that the holding element is upwardly movable relative to the guide element against gravity and is downwardly releasably locked in a stop position. An assembly for processing articles and corresponding methods are also provided.