Telescopic Cover V-Shaped Link Overlap Width Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic covers for industrial machines require an increased number of protection cover panels to accommodate pantograph elements, leading to a wider configuration that is inefficient in terms of space and panel usage.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic cover design featuring V-shaped link structures with movable and fixed pins, and a guide rail on the movable cover panel, allowing for overlapping link structures that reduce the total width and number of cover panels required, enabling longer link arms and thus fewer panels for the same extension/contraction distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the length of connecting rods in pantograph elements is shortened to accommodate them within the width of protection cover panels, then the pantograph elements can fit within the panel width, but the number of pantograph elements must be increased to maintain expansion and contraction distance, which increases the number of protection cover panels required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional parallel arrangement of pantograph elements to an overlapping arrangement where elements are positioned in three-dimensional space. The link structures overlap each other in the width direction while maintaining their expansion/contraction function, effectively utilizing the third dimension (depth) to reduce the overall width requirement without increasing the number of panels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where link structures are arranged in an overlapping manner, with inner link structures positioned within the spatial envelope of outer link structures. This nesting allows multiple link structures to occupy overlapping spatial regions, reducing the total width required for the protection cover panels while maintaining the necessary expansion and contraction functionality
2Length of moving object
If the number of pantograph elements is increased to maintain expansion and contraction distance with shortened connecting rods, then the expansion and contraction functionality is preserved, but the number of protection cover panels must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges link structures in an overlapping configuration that utilizes the depth dimension to accommodate multiple link structures without proportionally increasing the width. This allows the system to maintain the required expansion and contraction distance while reducing the number of panels needed compared to a conventional parallel arrangement
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional pantograph elements are used with parallel arrangement, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the width required increases the number of protection cover panels needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an overlapping arrangement of link structures that positions elements in three-dimensional space rather than simple parallel alignment. This dimensional reorganization reduces the width footprint while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized link structure components that can be assembled in the overlapping configuration
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 design reduces the number of protection cover panels needed while maintaining the expansion and contraction functionality, minimizing panel meandering and resistance during movement, thus optimizing space usage and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
first and second V-shaped link structures, which each include two link arms, a movable pin configured to be movable along the guide rail and rotatably support the two link arms at one end thereof, a first fixed pin fixed to the first fixed cover panel and configured to rotatably support the other end of the link arm and a second fixed pin fixed to the second fixed cover panel and configured to rotatably support the other end of the link arm
Data Source
AI summary
First and second V-shaped link structures are arranged in an overlapping manner such that a first fixed pin and a second fixed pin of the first V-shaped link structure are positioned relative to a movable pin to one side with respect to the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of a guide rail while a first fixed pin and a second fixed pin of the second V-shaped link structure are positioned relative to a movable pin to the side opposite to that in the first V-shaped link structure.