Adjustable Guide Rail System for Container Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guide rail systems are inflexible and time-consuming to adjust, especially when dealing with containers of varying sizes or shapes, leading to inaccurate positioning and potential jamming or improper processing.

Innovation Solution

A guide rail system with inner and outer subsystems featuring offset adjustable point devices, transition rail portions, and slip rail portions that are transversely movable relative to the conveyor, allowing for precise and simultaneous adjustment of rail positions to accommodate different container sizes and shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed guide rails are used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the system cannot adapt to different container sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different container sizesVSAvoidguide rail system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide rail system is divided into multiple independent adjustable segments (first guide rail portion, second guide rail portion, etc.) that can be individually positioned. Each segment is mounted on separate support brackets allowing independent adjustment to accommodate different container dimensions while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rails transition from fixed positions to adjustable positions along the conveyor. The support brackets enable dynamic repositioning of guide rail portions to match varying container sizes and shapes, providing adaptability without requiring complete system redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable guide rails with blocks are used, then some adaptability is achieved, but the adjustment is time-consuming and limited to predetermined increments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of guide rail positionsVSAvoidtime required for adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The manual block-based adjustment mechanism is replaced with a transverse movement mechanism that allows continuous or finer-grained positioning. The support brackets with transverse movement capability enable faster, more flexible adjustment beyond the discrete increments of block-based systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rail positioning parameter changes from discrete block increments to continuous or finer adjustment ranges. The transverse movement mechanism allows the guide rails to be positioned at multiple locations along the conveyor, providing greater flexibility and reducing adjustment time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate guide rail portions are mounted on independent support brackets, then adaptability to different containers is improved, but the adjustment process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different container sizesVSAvoidease of adjusting guide rails

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple guide rail portions are merged into a coordinated system where the transverse movement mechanism can adjust all portions simultaneously or in coordination. This unified adjustment approach simplifies the operation compared to independently adjusting each portion on separate brackets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If guide rails are not accurately positioned, then the system is simpler to operate, but containers may shingle, jam, or be improperly processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer positioning accuracyVSAvoidprecision positioning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rigid fixed positioning is replaced with adjustable transverse movement mechanisms that can be precisely positioned. The support brackets with movement capability allow fine-tuning of guide rail positions to ensure accurate container alignment, preventing shingling and jamming while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8695787B2Guide rail system

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 SEPTIMATECH GROUP

AI summary

A guide rail system for guiding containers in preselected positions on one or more conveyors. The guide rail system has inner and outer subsystems for locating the containers on the conveyor. The inner subsystem includes one or more offset adjustable point devices, each located at a preselected offset location adjacent to a straight segment of the conveyor and spaced apart from a boundary between it and a curved segment by a preselected distance. The inner subsystem also has one or more first and second transition rail portions, each mounted to said at least one offset adjustable point device, for engaging the containers as they are moved on the straight segment and the curved segment respectively. The first and second transition rail portions are positionable by the offset adjustable point device to locate the containers in the preselected positions.