Transfer Apparatus Offset Axes Link Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer apparatuses face challenges in transferring larger workpieces without increasing the rotation area, as increasing the length of link or driving arms to achieve greater stroke results in a larger rotation area.
Innovation Solution
A transfer apparatus design featuring a base, offset holders, and a movement mechanism with swing arms and link arms that pivot about offset intermediate axes, allowing parallel movement of holders without enlarging the rotation area, by strategically positioning and bending link arms to avoid interference and enhance extension capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the lengths of the link arms or driving arms are increased to increase the stroke of the extension/contraction movement, then the capability to transfer larger workpieces is improved, but the rotation area of the transfer apparatus inevitably increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate axes that are offset from each other in a direction perpendicular to the primary movement direction. This adds a dimensional element (offset distance between intermediate axes) that allows the link arms to achieve greater effective stroke through a combination of rotations about these offset axes, rather than simply increasing the length of the arms in the primary dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement mechanism is segmented into multiple rotational components: rotation about the pivotal axis of the swing arm, and additional rotation about the offset intermediate axes of the link arms. This segmentation of the rotational movement allows the system to achieve complex trajectories and greater effective stroke without proportionally increasing the arm lengths or the overall rotation area.
2Length of moving object
If the lengths of the link arms or driving arms are increased to increase the stroke, then the capability to transfer larger workpieces is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The offset intermediate axes serve multiple functions: they act as pivot points for the link arms during extension/contraction movement, and they simultaneously generate the necessary rotational component to achieve the desired trajectory. This multi-functionality allows the mechanism to achieve greater stroke without adding separate complex components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stroke of the extension/contraction movement is increased to transfer larger workpieces, then the adaptability to different workpiece sizes is improved, but the rotation area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism utilizes dynamic rotation about offset intermediate axes during the extension and retraction cycles. This dynamic utilization of the offset axes allows the system to achieve variable effective stroke lengths depending on the rotation angles, providing adaptability for different workpiece sizes without requiring a larger fixed rotation area.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer apparatus includes a base, a first holder, a second holder offset from the first holder in a first direction, and a movement mechanism for moving the first holder and the second holder relative to the base in a plane parallel to the first direction. The movement mechanism includes a swing member, a first link arm and a second link arm. The swing member is pivotally supported on the base. The first link arm is pivotally connected to the first holder. The first link arm is also connected to the swing member for pivoting about a first intermediate axis extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second link arm is pivotally connected to the second holder. The second link arm is also connected to the swing member for pivoting about a second intermediate axis extending in the second direction. The first intermediate axis is offset from the second intermediate axis in the first direction.