Adjustable Loading Surface for Conveyance Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic conveyance apparatuses face difficulties in moving members between loading surfaces of varying heights and inclinations, particularly in non-flat factory floors, as they cannot adjust their loading surfaces to match the production device's surfaces.

Innovation Solution

An automatic conveyance apparatus equipped with an adjustment device that adjusts the height and inclination of its loading surface to match the production device's surface, combined with a movement device for sliding the member between the surfaces, and a control section to coordinate these adjustments during delivery and pickup operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the loading surface height and inclination are fixed, then the apparatus structure is simple, but the apparatus cannot adapt to non-flat factory floors or production devices with varying loading surface heights and inclinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying loading surface heights and inclinationsVSAvoidcomplexity of height and inclination adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading surface is made dynamically adjustable through height adjustment mechanisms (such as adjustable legs or hydraulic cylinders) and inclination adjustment mechanisms (such as pivot joints or adjustable support structures). These mechanisms allow the loading surface to change its position and angle to match different production devices, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the loading surface is adjusted to match different production devices, then the apparatus can operate on non-flat floors, but the adjustment mechanism increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of member movement between surfacesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading surface incorporates height adjustment mechanisms and inclination adjustment mechanisms that enable dynamic adaptation to different production device interfaces. This ensures reliable member movement between surfaces with varying heights and angles, while the mechanisms are designed to be integrated and efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The loading surface parameters (height and inclination angle) are made variable through adjustment mechanisms. By changing these parameters to match the production device's loading surface, the apparatus achieves reliable operation across different floor conditions and device configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the loading surface is made adjustable, then the apparatus can handle varying production device interfaces, but the control system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to match different loading surfacesVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect the position and angle of the loading surface, then automatically adjust the height and inclination to match the production device. This automated feedback control reduces the complexity burden by making the system self-regulating rather than requiring manual adjustment for each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4009758B1Automatic conveyance apparatus and production system comprising same
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 FUJI CORP
  • EP4009758B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4009758B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4009758B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An automatic conveyance apparatus includes a first loading surface, an adjustment device, a movement device, and a control section. The first loading surface is capable of loading the member. The adjustment device adjusts a height and an inclination of the first loading surface in accordance with a height position and an inclination position of a second loading surface provided on the loading table on which the member is loaded. The movement device moves the member from the first loading surface to the second loading surface and/or from the second loading surface to the first loading surface. The control section drives the movement device to move the member between the first loading surface and the second loading surface when the automatic conveyance apparatus is positioned at a member delivery position and/or a member pickup position where the automatic conveyance apparatus delivers and/or picks up the member and when the height and the inclination of the first loading surface are adjusted in accordance with the height position and the inclination position of the second loading surface by the adjustment device. The automatic conveyance apparatus is configured to travel between multiple predetermined positions including the member delivery position and/or the member pickup position.