Long Workpiece Support Roller Linkage for Fast Size Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing workpiece support devices for long workpieces require manual and time-consuming adjustments of support members to accommodate different workpiece sizes, leading to increased process steps and reduced accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A workpiece support device with a shaft member and reciprocating mechanism, where the position and angle of support members are adjusted via a connecting rod, allowing for easy and accurate positioning without the need for connection members, enhancing rigidity and reducing manual labor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of support members is used to accommodate different workpiece sizes, then the device can handle various workpiece dimensions, but the adjustment process becomes time-consuming and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece size accommodationVSAvoidadjustment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The support member's position and angle are made dynamically adjustable through a reciprocating mechanism driven by a connecting rod. This allows the support member to automatically adapt to different workpiece sizes through controlled reciprocating motion, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual repositioning while maintaining versatility across various workpiece dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-adjustment of the support member position and angle through the reciprocating mechanism. The connecting rod translates rotational motion into reciprocating motion that automatically positions the support member according to the required workpiece size, reducing manual intervention and increasing adjustment speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple connection members are used to adjust support member positions, then the device can accommodate different workpiece configurations, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece configuration flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of connection members
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The position adjustment and angle adjustment functions are merged into a single integrated reciprocating mechanism. The connecting rod simultaneously controls both the position and orientation of the support member through its reciprocating motion, eliminating the need for separate connection members for each adjustment function and simplifying the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reciprocating mechanism serves multiple functions: it adjusts the support member position, controls the support member angle, and accommodates various workpiece configurations. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate connection members, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3925730B1Workpiece supporting device, unloading device, loading device and long workpiece machining device
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 YAMAZAKI MAZAK KK
  • EP3925730B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3925730B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP3925730B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present invention is a workpiece support device that supports a long workpiece when the long workpiece is conveyed in a longitudinal direction. This device includes: a shaft member rotatable about a shaft rotation axis extending along the longitudinal direction; at least one support member including a support roller that is rotatable about a roller rotation axis provided in an orthogonal surface orthogonal to the shaft rotation axis and that is configured to contact a side surface of the long workpiece and support the long workpiece; a reciprocating mechanism provided at a position corresponding to the foregoing, having one end mounted on the at least one support member, and configured to reciprocate in a predetermined expansion-contraction axis direction; and a connecting rod having one end rotationally movably mounted on the at least one support member and having another end rotationally movably mounted on a side surface of the shaft member.