Compact Workpiece Transport Belt Layout for Press Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece transport devices are not downsized, leading to inefficiencies and interference with press machine operations.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece transport device utilizing a pair of end shafts, a drive shaft, and a transport belt system with drive belts to transmit driving force, allowing for a compact design that avoids interference with press machine operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the workpiece transport device uses a conventional layout with carrier, subcarrier, and cable guide disposed in substantially the same plane, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device size is large and interferes with press machine operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar layout (carrier, subcarrier, and cable guide in the same plane as in PTL 1) to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement where the cable guide is positioned above the carrier. This vertical stacking allows components to occupy different height levels rather than spreading out horizontally, thereby reducing the device's footprint and avoiding interference with press machine operations while maintaining functional simplicity
2Volume of moving object
If the workpiece transport device is downsized to avoid interference with press machines, then the device volume is reduced, but the transmission of driving force becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertically arranged cable guide as an intermediary component that efficiently transmits driving force from the motor to the carrier through a compact cable transmission path. This intermediary structure enables effective power transmission in a reduced horizontal space by utilizing the vertical dimension for force transmission, thereby maintaining driving effectiveness while achieving device downsizing
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
The device is downsized, reducing interference with press machines and maintaining productivity by optimizing the layout of components.
Implementation Method 1
a drive belt wound around the drive shaft and the end shaft
Implementation Method 2
a drive belt wound around the drive shaft and the end shaft
Implementation Method 3
a transport belt wound around the pair of end shafts
Implementation Method 4
a transport belt wound around the pair of end shafts
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece transport device is downsized. A workpiece transport device includes: a pair of upstream-side end shaft and downstream-side end shafts disposed apart from each other in a transport direction that is a direction of transport of a workpiece, an upstream-side drive shaft disposed between a pair of upstream-side end shaft and downstream-side end shafts in the transport direction, an upstream-side drive belt wound around the upstream-side drive shaft and the upstream-side end shaft, and a transport belt wound around the pair of upstream-side end shaft and downstream-side end shaft. Driving force for transporting the workpiece is transmitted to the transport belt through the upstream-side drive shaft, the upstream-side drive belt, and the upstream-side end shaft in this order.