Transport Apparatus Hook Portion Automatic Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport apparatuses require separate operations to close the opening and closing unit and rotate the hook portion, making it inefficient as the hook portion cannot be rotated in the second rotation direction without direct operator intervention.
Innovation Solution
A transport apparatus design where the hook portion is configured to rotate in the second rotation direction when the transport path member is pushed upward by the apparatus body, allowing both the movement of the opening and closing unit from an open to a closed position and the rotation of the hook portion to be performed by a single operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hook portion is configured to require direct operator intervention to rotate in the second rotation direction, then the hook portion can be reliably positioned, but the operation complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hook portion is designed to automatically rotate in the second rotation direction through self-service mechanism. When the transport path member is pushed upward by the upper surface of the apparatus body, the hook portion rotates automatically without requiring separate operator intervention. This self-service action integrates the rotation function into the existing closing operation, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable positioning through the automatic engagement mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate operations are required to close the opening and closing unit and rotate the hook portion, then each function can be controlled independently, but the overall operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the closing operation of the opening and closing unit with the rotation operation of the hook portion into a single integrated action. When the transport path member is pushed upward during the closing process, the hook portion automatically rotates in the second rotation direction. This merging of functions eliminates separate operations, reducing overall operation time and improving productivity while maintaining the necessary functional control through the integrated mechanical linkage.
3Productivity
If the hook portion rotates automatically when the transport path member is pushed upward, then operation efficiency improves, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the upper surface of the apparatus body as an intermediary element to transmit force from the closing motion to the hook portion. When the opening and closing unit is moved to the closed position, the upper surface pushes the transport path member upward, which in turn rotates the hook portion automatically. This intermediary mechanism achieves automatic rotation with minimal additional complexity, leveraging existing structural elements rather than introducing complex dedicated rotation mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport apparatus includes: an apparatus body; an opening and closing unit attached to the apparatus body so as to be openable and closable between a closed position where an upper surface of the apparatus body is covered and an open position where the upper surface of the apparatus body is exposed, the opening and closing unit including, inside the opening and closing unit, a transport path along which a target material is transported; a transport path member that has a transport path surface constituting a part of the transport path, is rotatably supported by the opening and closing unit at one end portion side of the transport path member, and is configured such that the transport path is opened when the other end portion side of the transport path member moves downward from the opening and closing unit; and a hook portion that is rotatably attached to the other end portion side of the transport path member, is configured to hold the transport path member in a closed state of the transport path, in a hooked state in which the hook portion is hooked on a hooked portion of the opening and closing unit, based on a force applied toward a first rotation direction along which the hook portion is hooked to the hooked portion, and is configured to rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction by coming into contact with the hooked portion while the transport path member is pushed upward by the upper surface of the apparatus body when the opening and closing unit is moved from the open position to the closed position in a non-hooked state in which the hook portion is not hooked on the hooked portion.