Wheeled Workpiece Platform With Recessed Slider for Taller Pallet Stacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing workpiece conveying wheeled platforms have limited stacking capacity due to the height constraints from the guide mechanisms and drive mechanisms, leading to increased frequency of setting up workpieces and reduced workability.
Innovation Solution
The workpiece conveying wheeled platform is designed with a recessed placing part for the pallet, allowing the guide mechanisms and drive mechanisms to be positioned closer to the floor, thereby increasing the stacking capacity and reducing the frequency of setting up workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guide mechanisms and drive mechanism are arranged under the placing table of the slider, then the slider can be supported and moved in the predetermined direction, but the height from the installation surface on the floor to the upper surface of the placing table increases, limiting the stacking capacity of workpieces
Solution Approach 1:
The guide mechanisms are repositioned from a vertical arrangement (under the placing table) to a horizontal arrangement (on both sides of the slider in the lateral direction). This dimensional change allows the mechanisms to provide necessary support and movement functionality while minimizing vertical space occupation, thereby reducing the height from the floor to the placing table surface and increasing workpiece stacking capacity.
2Ease of operation
If the stacking height of workpieces is limited to a predetermined height, then the uppermost workpiece can be properly picked up by the loading machine, but the number of stacked sheets is limited and the frequency of setting up workpieces increases
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the guide and drive mechanisms to the lateral sides of the slider, the vertical dimension is freed up. This allows workpieces to be stacked to a greater height without interfering with the mechanisms, thereby increasing the number of stacked sheets that can be accommodated while still enabling proper pickup by the loading machine.
3Productivity
If the placing table height is increased to accommodate more stacked workpieces, then the stacking capacity improves, but the guide mechanisms and drive mechanism cannot be properly arranged underneath
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the guide and drive mechanisms from the vertical space under the placing table to the horizontal space on both sides of the slider. This allows the placing table to be positioned at an optimal height for maximizing workpiece stacking capacity while the mechanisms are accommodated in the lateral direction, avoiding interference and simplifying the overall arrangement.
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 enhances workability by increasing the stacking capacity of workpieces, reducing the frequency of setting up, and allowing for easier manual handling using a pallet jack with reduced vertical movement requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The drive mechanism includes a rack member that is provided, on part of an installation surface on a floor, below the placing table of the slider, and extends in the predetermined direction, and a pinion that is connected to an output shaft of the electric motor and is engaged with the rack member.
Implementation Method 2
a pair of guide mechanisms that support the slider so as to be movable in the predetermined direction are arranged below the placing table of the slider
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A slider (28) configured to move in a predetermined direction between a setup area (SA) and a pickup area (GA) is provided in a vicinity of a loading machine (16) that supplies a workpiece W to a working machine (12). The slider (28) is recessed to form a placing part (28a) for placing a pallet (P). Guide mechanisms (32, 38) for supporting the slider (28) so as to be movable in the predetermined direction are respectively arranged on both sides in a lateral direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in the placing part (28a) of the slider (28). A drive mechanism (44) for moving the slider (28) in the predetermined direction is arranged on at least one side in the lateral direction of the placing part (28a).