Separately-Formed Yoke Rail Support Member for Heavy Load Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyance devices with rail support members installed at predetermined intervals are unable to withstand the weight of heavy objects, such as electric vehicles with large batteries, leading to rail deformation.
Innovation Solution
A rail support member with a separately-formed yoke, consisting of left and right separate bodies that are connected and fixed, provides additional support to the rail by receiving the lower flange portions of the left and right rails, preventing deformation when conveying heavy objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rail support members are installed at predetermined intervals in an existing conveyance device, then the device can convey objects within a certain weight limit, but the rail cannot withstand heavy objects and deforms
Solution Approach 1:
The yoke is divided into left and right separate bodies that are connected by a connecting rod. This segmentation allows the rail support member to be assembled from separate components, improving installability and adaptability while maintaining the structural strength needed to support heavy objects without causing rail deformation.
2Strength
If additional rail support members are added to an existing conveyance device, then heavy object conveyance is enabled, but installation becomes difficult due to space constraints from wide components
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the yoke into separate left and right bodies that can be positioned independently and connected via a connecting rod, the support member can be installed in confined spaces between existing support members without requiring removal of wide components. The segmented structure allows for easier maneuverability during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The left and right separate bodies are designed to be positioned on opposite sides of the rail, with the connecting rod joining them. This nested arrangement allows the support member to fit within the existing conveyance device structure without interfering with wide components already present in the system.
3Strength
If welding is used to attach support members to rails, then strong fixation is achieved, but welding is prohibited in certain environments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces welding with a mechanical connection system consisting of a connecting rod that joins the left and right separate bodies through bolting or other mechanical fastening methods. This substitution eliminates the need for welding while maintaining adequate fixation strength, making the support member suitable for environments where welding is prohibited.
Data Source
AI summary
A rail support member supports a rail including a left rail and a right rail respectively having a channel shape and guiding left and right running wheels of a movable body, and includes a separately-formed yoke including a left separate body and a right separate body. The left separate body has, integrally therewith, a left receiving portion that receives a lower flange portion of the left rail from below, and the right separate body has, integrally therewith, a right receiving portion that receives a lower flange portion of the right rail from below. The rail support member including the separately-formed yoke can be easily installed as a second rail support member between first rail support members adjacent to each other in a front-rear direction at predetermined intervals, each of the first rail support members including an integrally-formed yoke, and being provided in an existing conveyance device.