Adjustable Slide Retract Mechanism for Conveyor Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face challenges in efficiently handling different product sizes, as existing rejection mechanisms require costly and time-consuming reconfiguration to accommodate varying package sizes, leading to increased downtime and complexity in production environments.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable slide retract mechanism is introduced, allowing for quick and easy adjustments to the reject system by using a retract slide adjustment bracket with multiple mounting positions and attachable retraction devices, enabling the creation of variable gap sizes in the product handling line without the need for extensive machine re-tooling or equipment modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rejection mechanism is designed to handle products of a given size, then the equipment can efficiently reject products of that size, but it becomes difficult and costly to change the rejection mechanism when different size products need to be handled
Solution Approach 1:
The rejection mechanism employs a movable assembly that can dynamically adjust its position along the conveyor. The assembly includes a movable member that can be positioned at different locations to create gaps of varying sizes, allowing the same mechanism to handle different product sizes without physical reconfiguration of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of gap size by adjusting the position of the movable assembly relative to the conveyor. By varying the distance the movable assembly is positioned from the conveyor, the system creates different gap sizes suitable for different product dimensions, enabling adaptability without mechanical retooling.
2Area of stationary object
If the rejection mechanism is made of minimum size necessary to handle products, then space is saved in the production environment, but it becomes difficult to accommodate different size products
Solution Approach 1:
The rejection mechanism is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple product sizes through a single movable assembly. The assembly serves multiple functions by being repositionable along the conveyor, allowing one mechanism to accommodate various gap sizes needed for different product dimensions without requiring separate dedicated mechanisms for each product size.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable assembly provides dynamic adaptability within a compact footprint. By being able to move along the conveyor and change its position, the small rejection mechanism can create the necessary gaps for different product sizes while maintaining a minimal overall space requirement in the production environment.
3Reliability
If the rejection mechanism is carefully designed to accommodate a given size, then proper rejection function is achieved, but time and cost increase when conversion to different products is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The movable assembly can be quickly repositioned along the conveyor to adjust gap size, enabling rapid conversion between different product sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the rejection mechanism to maintain reliable functionality for different products without requiring time-consuming mechanical reconfiguration or downtime for line conversions.
Data Source
AI summary
A package handling device includes a conveyor, a sensor system and a reject system. The conveyor transports a product along a product handling line. The sensor system is proximate to the conveyor system to determine at least one characteristic of the product for comparison to product acceptance criteria. Failure of the product to meet product acceptance criteria generates a reject signal. The reject system directs the product to a reject bin responsive to the reject signal via a movable assembly that moves a portion of the conveyor to create a gap in the product handling line. The reject system includes a retract slide adjustment bracket that has at least one mounting position to which a selected retraction device is attachable to define a size of the gap based on the selected retraction device and the at least one mounting position limiting a movement range of the movable assembly.