Shutter-like Cover for Workshop Pits with Articulation Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shutter-like covers for mechanical workshop pits require a chain-type connection, which results in structural weakness, increased weight, and complexity, necessitating more powerful and costly motorized systems to maintain load-bearing capacity.
Innovation Solution
A covering system with a shutter-like cover featuring profiled transverse bars with form coupling and articulation bars that allow for limited relative rotation, enabling the cover to be more rigid and efficient while reducing material usage and storage space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a chain-type connection is used to connect transverse bars, then the cover can follow transition curves and store in layers, but the structural strength and rigidity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple transverse bars that are connected through articulation bars at their ends. This segmentation allows each bar to be relatively simple in structure while the collective assembly achieves the required adaptability for following transition curves and layer storage, without requiring a complex chain-type connection that would compromise strength.
2Strength
If chain-type connection and support elements are provided to compensate for weakness, then structural rigidity is maintained, but the weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection functions are merged into the articulation bars that are already integral parts of the transverse bar assembly. The articulation bars perform both structural support and connection functions, eliminating the need for separate chain-type connections and additional support elements, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining rigidity.
3Strength
If heavier bars and connection elements are used to compensate for chain connection weakness, then load-bearing capacity is achieved, but the weight of the cover increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one or few heavy bars, the cover is segmented into multiple lighter transverse bars connected by articulation bars. This distribution of mass allows the cover to achieve the required load-bearing capacity through the collective strength of multiple elements rather than relying on individual heavy components, thereby reducing the overall weight.
4Strength
If more powerful motor means are used to move the heavier cover, then the load-bearing capacity is maintained, but the cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented structure with multiple lighter transverse bars reduces the total weight of the movable cover assembly. With reduced weight, less powerful motor means are required to move the cover, thereby reducing power consumption and cost while still maintaining the necessary load-bearing capacity through the distributed structural design.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A covering system for pits in mechanical workshops comprises a shutter-like cover (2) configured to slide along a pit (5) between an extended position for closing the pit and a folded-up position in a storage zone (10) arranged at a longitudinal end of the pit (5). The shutter-like cover (2) comprises a plurality of first transverse bars (3) which have a profiled body with a front transverse side (3a) and rear transverse side (3b) shaped so as to provide a form coupling between first adjacent bars (3), resulting in a hinged fastening so that the first adjacent bars (3) are engaged together with a degree of freedom which allows a limited range of relative rotation about a transverse axis. At predefined intervals along the cover (2), articulation bars (9) are positioned between first bars (3), said articulation bars being hinged with the adjacent first bars (3) by means of a pivoted connection allowing a greater relative rotation then the form coupling between the first bars (3), such that the articulation bars (9) allow at least some of the first bars (3) to be arranged in side-by-side rows when the cover is in the folded-up position in the storage zone (10). The system further comprises transverse pivoted-connection elements (9a,9b) for connecting the first bars (3) together and to the articulation bars.