Support Strut With Magnet And Ball Transfer For Downward Projections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Material transport systems with arrays of rollers or transfer balls struggle to handle objects with downwardly protruding portions, leading to increased costs and workflow disruptions due to the need for customized solutions or retrofitting, especially when such objects are infrequent.

Innovation Solution

A detachable and attachable support strut system that creates an elevated material handling plane, featuring a magnet and friction-reducing components like ball transfers or wheels, allowing for easy installation and removal without tools, and adjustable to accommodate various frame types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the conveying system is retrofitted to accommodate objects with downwardly protruding portions, then the system can handle these objects, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle objects with downwardly protruding portionsVSAvoidcost of system modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs temporary support struts that can be easily installed and removed rather than permanently modifying the conveying system. These struts are simple, low-cost components that provide the necessary adaptation only when needed, avoiding the high costs of permanent system retrofitting while maintaining the ability to handle objects with downwardly protruding portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying system is made dynamically adaptable through the use of removable support struts that can be installed temporarily when objects with downwardly protruding portions need to be conveyed. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt its configuration based on the specific objects being conveyed, providing versatility without permanent modification costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conveying system is retrofitted to accommodate objects with downwardly protruding portions, then the system can handle these objects, but the entire system must be modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle objects with downwardly protruding portionsVSAvoidscope of system modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adaptation function from the main conveying system by using separate, removable support struts. Instead of modifying the entire conveying system, only the necessary localized support structures are added temporarily, reducing the overall complexity and scope of modification while achieving the required adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptation solution is segmented into individual removable support struts rather than requiring system-wide modification. Each strut is an independent component that can be installed only where and when needed, dividing the adaptation task into manageable, non-intrusive segments that minimize impact on the overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If temporary support struts are used, then the conveying system can handle occasional objects with downwardly protruding portions, but additional components are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkflow efficiency for occasional special objectsVSAvoidnumber of additional components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses simple, inexpensive support struts that can be quickly deployed and removed. These minimal components provide the necessary functionality for handling occasional special objects without requiring complex additional machinery, thus maintaining productivity while adding only essential, straightforward elements to the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 efficient handling of objects with downward projections by reducing friction and preventing damage, improving safety and reducing material waste and labor costs by allowing for temporary use without modifying the entire conveying system.

Implementation Method 1

A magnet is affixed to the first wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

A ball transfer or wheel may be affixed to the block and serves to reduce friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction through ball transfer: Ball

Implementation Method 3

A ball transfer or wheel may be affixed to the block and serves to reduce friction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction through rolling: Wheel

Data Source

PatentUS20230331273A1Support Strut

Publication Date: 2023.10.19 CROWLEY ROGER

AI summary

A support strut assembly comprises a block with a first surface comprising a ball transfer, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first wall extending from a first edge of the second surface, and a second wall parallel to the first wall and spaced apart by a gap. A magnet is affixed to the first wall, and a second friction reducing component such as a wheel or a ball bearing mounted upon a shaft is deposited within the gap. Other friction reducing components may include a rotatable sphere, a fixed shaft, a rotatable shaft, a wheel, a bearing, or a glide strip. At least one of the two walls may further comprise a cavity facing into the gap. The shaft is preferably embedded within the block and a cavity exposed a grooved portion of the shaft to allow a snap ring to lock the shaft within the block.