Workpiece Support Roller Linkage for Rigid Vibration Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workpiece support devices for long workpieces in machining apparatuses are cumbersome to adjust and lack rigidity, making it difficult to accurately position and angle the support members, leading to vibration issues during conveyance and machining.

Innovation Solution

A workpiece support device with a shaft that rotates to transmit motion to a reciprocating mechanism and connecting rod, allowing for precise adjustment of the support member without the need for connection members, ensuring rigidity and accurate positioning of the support roller relative to the workpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing workpiece support devices use multiple connection members to adjust support members, then the support members can be positioned, but the adjustment becomes cumbersome and rigidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment easeVSAvoidrigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes connection members from the support device structure. The support members are directly coupled to the reciprocating mechanism without intermediate connection members, eliminating adjustment complexity while maintaining structural rigidity. This extraction of unnecessary components resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the support member directly with the reciprocating mechanism coupling. The support member becomes an integrated part of the motion transmission system, eliminating the need for separate connection members. This merging improves both adjustment ease (through direct coupling) and rigidity (through integrated structure).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If existing support devices lack rigid coupling between support members and reciprocating mechanism, then assembly is simpler, but positioning accuracy and angle adjustment precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcoupling structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support members are pre-configured with coupling structures that directly interface with the reciprocating mechanism. This preliminary design ensures accurate positioning and angle adjustment are built into the structure itself, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a reciprocating mechanism that provides dynamic, controlled motion to the support members. This dynamic coupling allows for precise positioning through controlled reciprocating motion while maintaining structural simplicity, resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration allows for easy and accurate adjustment of the support member, reducing vibration and wear during conveyance and machining, while maintaining support stability across varying workpiece diameters.

Implementation Method 1

a shaft rotatable about a shaft rotation axis of the shaft, a first support, a first reciprocating mechanism, and a first connecting rod having one end and another end... The first reciprocating mechanism has one end connected to the first support and is configured to reciprocate in a first expansion-contraction axis direction... the another end of the first connecting rod is connected to the shaft such that the another end of the first connecting rod is rotatable together with the shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical rotation and reciprocating motion transmission: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

a first support roller that is rotatable about a first roller rotation axis orthogonal to the shaft rotation axis and that is configured to contact the workpiece to support the workpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling contact: Roller

Implementation Method 3

reducing vibration and wear during conveyance and machining

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction through rolling: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11992913B2Workpiece support device, unloading device, loading device, and workpiece machining apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 YAMAZAKI MAZAK KK

AI summary

A workpiece support device includes a shaft rotatable about a shaft rotation axis of the shaft, a first support, a first reciprocating mechanism, and a first connecting rod having one end and another end. The shaft extends along a longitudinal direction of a workpiece. The first support includes a first support roller that is rotatable about a first roller rotation axis orthogonal to the shaft rotation axis and that is configured to contact the workpiece to support the workpiece. The first reciprocating mechanism has one end connected to the first support and is configured to reciprocate in a first expansion-contraction axis direction. The one end of the first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first support. The another end of the first connecting rod is connected to the shaft such that the another end of the first connecting rod is rotatable together with the shaft.