Storage Unit Guide Plates with Laser-Cut Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage units for roller shutter-like covers in assembly pits are expensive to manufacture due to complex guide arrangement production and suffer from frictional issues leading to rapid wear.
Innovation Solution
The use of guide plates with recesses, preferably laser-cut or die-cast, eliminates the need for additional rails, reducing material and labor costs, and ensures precise guidance by minimizing unwanted friction through precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional guide arrangements with welded rails are used, then the storage unit provides guidance function, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the guide function from the complex welded rail structure and concentrates it into simple recesses formed directly in the guide plates. This eliminates the need for separate rails and their complex welding assemblies, achieving the same guidance function with much simpler manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide function is merged into the guide plates themselves through integrally formed recesses. Instead of having separate guide rails attached to plates, the guidance structure is combined with the plate body, eliminating additional components and assembly steps.
2Reliability
If welded guide rails are used, then guidance is provided, but relative displacement between components occurs causing friction and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The guide function is segmented into discrete recesses in each guide plate, allowing independent positioning and eliminating the need for precise welding between multiple components. Each guide plate with its recesses operates independently, preventing relative displacement issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection method (welding) is replaced by a geometric constraint system (recesses). The recesses provide precise geometric guidance without relying on mechanical fastening or welding, eliminating the relative displacement that occurs in welded assemblies.
3Reliability
If complex guide arrangements are manufactured, then guidance function is achieved, but material and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plates with recesses are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be manufactured using cost-effective methods like laser cutting or die-casting. These replace expensive welded rail assemblies while maintaining the necessary guidance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing method is changed from complex welding processes to simpler methods like laser cutting or die-casting. This parameter change in the manufacturing process dramatically reduces both material waste and labor costs while achieving the same functional result.
Data Source
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AI summary
The unit has lateral guides provided in guiding plates (15) via a spiral-like recess (16), where the guiding plates are arranged at a distance of approximately 25 mm from a lateral pit wall. The spiral-like recess is formed such that guiding rollers (17) are adjustably provided in a cover. The spiral-like recess is formed in the guiding plates by laser cutting, where the cover includes a girder with a connecting unit i.e. conveyor chain.