Workpiece Support Changer With Horizontal-Link Lifting

The patent replaces complex mechanical lifting systems (hydraulic cylinders, ball screw drives, roller chain drives, electric cylinders, or linear motors) with a simple link mechanism that converts horizontal movement into vertical lifting motion. This mechanical substitution eliminates multiple costly components while maintaining reliable lifting function through the geometric relationship between the link's horizontal displacement and the carrier device's vertical position.

The patent extracts the essential lifting function from complex lifting devices and implements it through a minimal link mechanism. By taking out only the necessary horizontal movement capability and the geometric conversion relationship, the solution eliminates unnecessary components such as hydraulic systems, screw drives, chain drives, or motor assemblies, thereby reducing component count while preserving the core lifting reliability.

The patent substitutes complex mechanical systems with a simple link mechanism that achieves the same lifting function through geometric conversion. This replacement dramatically reduces manufacturing cost by eliminating the need for expensive hydraulic systems, precision screw drives, chain drives, or motor assemblies, while maintaining process reliability through the inherent mechanical advantage of the link geometry.

The patent employs a simple link mechanism that can be manufactured at low cost compared to traditional lifting devices. The link, being a simple mechanical component with straightforward geometry, can be produced economically using standard manufacturing processes, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining sufficient reliability for the application.

The patent merges the guiding function into the link mechanism itself. The link serves dual purposes: it provides the horizontal movement capability and simultaneously guides the carrier device's vertical motion through its geometric relationship with the base frame. This merging eliminates the need for separate guide devices on the base frame, as the link's structure and movement constraints inherently provide the necessary guidance.

The link mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides horizontal movement input, converts this movement into vertical lifting motion, and guides the carrier device along the correct trajectory. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate guiding components on the base frame, as the link itself serves as both actuator and guide.