Adjustable Guide Rail Assemblies for Variable Container Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional guide rail and star wheel systems are inflexible and require frequent changes when handling containers of varying shapes and sizes, leading to inefficiencies and the need for multiple stock sizes, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable guide rail assembly with rotatable guide members that transition between large and small radius face segments to define an arcuate path, allowing for automatic adjustment to accommodate different article sizes and shapes, integrated with an automated adjustment mechanism for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional guide rails and star wheels are used for each container size, then each container can be conveyed accurately, but multiple stock sizes are required and frequent changes are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating different container sizes through adjustment. The guide members can be repositioned along the star wheel periphery to handle various container diameters, making a single guide rail assembly universal for multiple container sizes rather than requiring separate assemblies for each size
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail assembly incorporates adjustable guide members that can dynamically reposition themselves along the star wheel periphery. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different container sizes during operation, eliminating the need for static, size-specific guide rails
2Measurement precision
If conventional guide rails and star wheels are used for each container size, then each container can be conveyed accurately, but frequent changes are required which is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are designed with adjustment mechanisms that allow them to be quickly repositioned along the star wheel periphery. This dynamic adjustment capability enables rapid adaptation to different container sizes during operation, eliminating the need for time-consuming changes between static, size-specific guide rails
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple star wheels and guide rails are kept in stock for different sizes, then container handling flexibility is maintained, but inventory costs and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating different container sizes through adjustment. The guide members can be repositioned along the star wheel periphery to handle various container diameters, making a single guide rail assembly universal for multiple container sizes rather than requiring separate assemblies for each size
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple size-specific guide rail functionalities into a single adjustable assembly. By merging the capabilities of multiple fixed guide rails into one reconfigurable unit, the system reduces the total quantity of guide rails needed while maintaining versatility across different container sizes
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable guide rail assembly for a conveyor system includes an adjustable guide member having a face extending between opposite sides, a large radius face segment and a small radius face segment. The large radius face segment and the small radius face segment extend widthwise between the opposite sides of the adjustable guide member and each define an arcuate guide path for a three dimensional article. A radius of the arcuate guide path changes by rotating the adjustable guide member from a large article configuration where the large radius face segment having a larger radius defines the arcuate guide path to a small article configuration where the small radius face segment having a smaller radius defines the arcuate guide path.