Workshop Pit Cover Segmented Guide and Vertical Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workshop pit covers face challenges due to their significant weight when moving between open and closed positions, leading to deterioration of drive and guide means.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates supporting elements arranged in strips with a guide device featuring internal and external bearing tracks, a double-bearing device for vertical storage, and a motor-driven system with flexible fabric elements to reduce weight and ensure smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If supporting elements are arranged in a continuous train to cover the workshop pit, then the cover provides complete protection and structural integrity, but the weight of the cover increases significantly during horizontal movements
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple independent strips (first strip, second strip, etc.) that can move separately rather than as a single continuous structure. Each strip has its own supporting elements arranged in series, allowing the cover to maintain protection integrity while reducing the weight each drive mechanism must move and enabling vertical storage when not in use
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cover is moved horizontally between open and closed positions, then the pit can be accessed or protected as needed, but the drive means and guide means suffer deterioration due to the significant weight
Solution Approach 1:
The cover system transitions from a static continuous structure to a dynamic segmented system where strips can be positioned horizontally for operation/protection and vertically stored when not needed. This dynamic reconfiguration reduces the weight burden on drive means during movements and extends their lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The cover strips can transition between horizontal positioning (for covering the pit) and vertical positioning (for storage). This addition of the vertical dimension allows the system to reduce wear on drive and guide means by minimizing horizontal movement weight burden when the cover is not actively protecting the pit
3Ease of operation
If guide rails are arranged on the upper edges of the pit to support the cover, then the cover can be guided between positions, but the guide means deteriorates due to the continuous heavy load
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system is segmented to work with individual cover strips rather than supporting a continuous heavy train. Each strip can be guided independently, reducing the continuous load on guide rails and extending their service life while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails work with dynamically positioned strips that can be stored vertically when not in use, reducing the continuous horizontal load that causes deterioration. The guide means only needs to support and guide strips during active operation, not continuously bear the full weight
4Stability of the object's composition
If supporting elements are interconnected in a continuous train, then the cover maintains structural integrity during movement, but the friction and wear on drive and guide components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into multiple independent strips rather than a continuous train. Each strip maintains its own structural integrity through internally connected supporting elements, while the segmentation reduces overall friction and wear on drive and guide means by allowing independent movement and vertical storage capability
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 reduces wear and friction, allowing for precise, continuous, and smooth movement of the pit cover between positions while minimizing physical effort and extending the lifespan of the drive and guide components.
Implementation Method 1
reduces wear and friction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6
AI summary
Workshop pit (1) closed by a cover which can be moved by drive means (50) between an open position and a closed position along a guide device (2) consisting of, on the one hand, inside the pit (1) and on each upper edge (1c, 1d) of a guide rail (20) extending into the storage space (1b) provided at the end of said pit (1) by a storage ramp (21) allowing the storage of said cover in a vertical position.