Challenge: Provide an rugged turntable store display
that could be loaded with over 500 pounds of merchandise/promotional
gear, posed no safety hazard to store employees or guests, was portable,
easy to use, and be powered off a rechargeable battery for normal
store hours (typically 12 hours).
Safety and simplicity are the critical items for this project.
It is important that the display not cause injury to anyone or
thing that comes in contact with the moving parts. Simplicity
is needed because the employee knowledge and understanding of
electricity and electronics will vary greatly.
Analysis: While Intellicon engineers are very experienced
with portable, battery-operated motor drives, the critical criterion
for this project was safety. The displays will be set out anywhere
on the store floor and therefore having the potential of coming
into contact with children and adults' hands, feet, heads, arms,
legs and other body parts, both accidentally and intentionally.
The display, therefore, must be designed to stop quickly to avoid
injuries.
Results: Key to the safe operation of the display is
the size of the motor that drives the turntable and the torque
it applies. Using a typical design, the customer's requirement
to carry 500 pounds of merchandise would dictate a sizeable motor
in order to start the rotation.
Thinking out side the box, or rather standing things on the
edge, Intellicon engineers developed an edge-supported load design
for the turntable. This meant the weight of the display was not
directly carried by the motor drive mechanism, thus the drive
could be sized smaller. This downsizing also significantly reduced
the cost of the display. In addition, this edge-supported design
made the display lighter in weight and sturdier, two major advantages
for a portable display.
The smaller motor drive means longer operation. The Intellicon
design uses only 0.7 amps and 7 Watts to drive 500 pounds. This
provides a continuous 48 hours of operation between charges!
The design incorporates Intellicon's own microcontroller for
added features. Every unit has selectable speed and direction
control, built in battery charger and charge indicator. The microcontroller
also gives added safety through its superior programmable torque
control. During an overload condition the user can select to
turn off the unit or pause and restart.

The center rotating
display needs to support up to 500 pounds. The entire unit
also must be portable and self-contained. Recharging the unit can
only occur after the store is closed.

Flipping the mounting
of the rollers requires less torque to begin spinning of the
table. Less torque means a smaller motor and lower cost.

Easy access and simple
controls are Flipping the mounting of the rollers requires
less torque to begin spinning of the table. Less torque
means a smaller motor and lower cost.
Email: info@intelliconelectronics.com
Tel: 714.751.9257
|