Adjustable Conveyor Lane Guide Mechanism for Jam Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face inefficiencies due to labor-intensive and inaccurate mechanisms for adjusting lane guides, leading to container jamming and production losses as containers of varying sizes and shapes are processed.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor assembly with adjustable lane guide elements, featuring point subassemblies and cross-members with a gear train system that allows for precise and efficient adjustment of lane widths, ensuring accurate positioning and resistance to container-induced movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual adjustment mechanisms are used for lane guides, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated motor-driven system. Motors are mounted on lane guide elements and controlled by a processor to automatically position guides at precise locations based on container dimensions, eliminating manual intervention while achieving high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-adjustment through automated control. The processor receives container dimension data, calculates optimal lane widths, and automatically commands the motors to adjust guide positions without human intervention, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining precision.
2Device complexity
If fixed lane guides are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different container sizes and shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms fixed lane guides into dynamic, adjustable structures. Motors mounted on the guide elements enable them to move laterally and vertically, allowing the guides to adapt their position and orientation based on real-time container dimension data received by the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the lane guides by adjusting their positions based on container dimensions. The processor calculates optimal guide positions and commands motors to move guides to these positions, dynamically adapting the lane width and configuration to match different container sizes and shapes.
3Reliability
If accurate positioning mechanisms are implemented, then the reliability of container guidance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with an automated control system using motors and processors. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving positioning reliability through electronic control and automated adjustment based on container data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves reliable positioning through self-adjustment capabilities. The processor automatically calculates optimal positions and commands motors to move guides to these positions, eliminating the need for complex manual positioning mechanisms while ensuring consistent accuracy.
4Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of lane guides is performed, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity is reduced due to frequent stops for jam clearing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment of lane guides based on container dimension data. The processor automatically calculates optimal positions and commands motors to adjust guides without human intervention, eliminating the need for manual adjustment operations while maintaining continuous production flow and preventing jams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual adjustment operations with automated motor-driven positioning controlled by a processor. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to manually adjust guides during production, preventing container jams and maintaining continuous operation, thereby improving productivity while simplifying operation.
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 system enables precise and efficient adjustment of lane widths, reducing container jamming and production losses by allowing for accurate positioning and firm holding of lane guide elements, even under varying container sizes and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
The drive element includes a drive element body, and a number of pinion gears mounted on the drive element body, for meshable engagement of each of the pinion gears with the respective rack elements on the point subassembly cross-members
Implementation Method 2
Rotation of the drive element about the drive element axis causes corresponding transverse movement of the point subassemblies of the lane guide element group
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor assembly having a conveyor for moving containers in a preselected direction. The conveyor assembly includes one or more lane guide elements, for at least partially defining one or more lanes along which the containers are movable by the conveyor. Each lane has a lane width that is transverse to the preselected direction. The conveyor assembly also includes one or more point subassemblies, connected with the lane guide elements, and one or more point subassembly cross-members on which the point subassemblies are mounted. The point subassembly is transversely movable on one or the point subassembly cross-members relative to the preselected direction, to move the lane guide element to which it is attached, to adjust the lane width of the lane defined thereby.