Elastically Deformable Spindle for Vibratory Feeder Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article transport feeders in combination scales, particularly those handling foodstuffs, face challenges with cleaning due to the entrapment of broken pieces and scraps by coil springs, leading to increased labor and time for thorough hygiene maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The article transport feeder incorporates an elastically deformable spindle instead of a coil spring, allowing for stable and accurate coupling with the vibratory head and facilitating easy cleaning by eliminating the risk of entrapment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coil spring is used as the elastically deformable member in the fastening unit, then the article transporter can be firmly coupled to the vibratory head, but the coil spring easily catches broken pieces and scraps of articles, making cleaning labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function of the coil spring (catching and retaining article debris) while preserving its beneficial function (providing elastic fastening force). This is achieved by replacing the coil spring with an elastically deformable member that has a smooth surface and does not trap debris, thereby eliminating the cleaning problem while maintaining fastening reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an elastically deformable member with a simple, smooth structure that is easier to clean and maintain compared to a coil spring. While the coil spring provides reliable fastening, its complex structure makes it difficult to clean thoroughly. The new member accepts occasional replacement but is much easier to maintain hygiene standards.
2Force
If a coil spring is used in the fastening unit, then elastic fastening force is provided, but the complex structure of the coil spring makes thorough cleaning difficult and requires enormous time and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful structural complexity of the coil spring while retaining its elastic force-generating capability. The elastically deformable member is designed with a simple, smooth geometry that eliminates crevices and surfaces where debris could accumulate, making it trivial to clean while still providing the necessary elastic fastening force through its material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the elastic member from a coiled structure to a smooth, deformable structure. This parameter change maintains the elastic force generation through material deformation while eliminating the surface complexity that causes cleaning difficulties. The elastic force is now generated through bending or compression of a smooth member rather than compression of a coiled spring.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If regular cleaning is performed on the coil spring to maintain hygiene, then hygiene standards are met, but the cleaning process requires enormous amount of time and labor for a large number of feeders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the debris-trapping function from the elastic member by eliminating the coiled structure that creates hidden surfaces and crevices. The smooth, simple geometry of the new elastically deformable member allows for rapid visual inspection and easy wiping clean, dramatically improving cleaning productivity while maintaining the same hygiene standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The smooth design of the elastically deformable member allows it to be easily cleaned by simple wiping or rinsing, enabling quick maintenance between production runs. The structure essentially cleans itself through its simplicity, requiring minimal manual intervention compared to the labor-intensive cleaning of coil springs.
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
This solution significantly reduces the time and labor required for cleaning, ensures stable and accurate fastening, and maintains the desired elastic properties of the spindle for reliable engagement.
Implementation Method 1
The spindle is elastically deformable by moving the movable coupling member along with the rotation of the operation lever to elastically retain the engagement of the article transporter with the vibratory head
Data Source
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AI summary
An article transport feeder is equipped with an article transporter removably attachable to a vibratory head of a vibration mechanism. The article transport feeder is also equipped with a fastening unit having an operation lever. The fastening unit rotates the operation lever to retainably engage the article transporter with the vibratory head by fastening. The article transport feeder is further equipped with a movable coupling member having a spindle elastically deformable. The movable coupling member is coupleable to the fastening unit and allowed to move along with the rotation of the operation lever. The spindle is elastically deformable by moving the movable coupling member along with the rotation of the operation lever of the fastening unit to elastically retain the engagement of the article transporter with the vibratory head.