Adjustable Track Guide for Flexible Material Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support plate line distributors are inflexible and require significant conversion work to change distribution widths or distances between tracks, limiting their usability and causing wear on guide elements.

Innovation Solution

A support plate line distributor with a conveyor belt, movable support plates, and adjustable track guides that can be positioned transversely to the conveying direction using an adjusting element, allowing for flexible adaptation to changing circumstances and reduced wear through deformation of flexible boundaries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the track guides are made fixed and rigid, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to changing distribution widths and track spacing is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to changing distribution widths
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The track guides are designed as flexible boundaries that can be dynamically adjusted in position. The flexible nature allows the track guides to be repositioned transversely to change distribution widths and track spacing, while maintaining structural integrity through controlled deformation rather than rigid fixed positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position of the track guides can be changed by deforming the flexible boundaries. This parameter change allows adaptation of distribution widths and track spacing without requiring structural redesign, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the track guides are made adjustable, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of distribution widthsVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The track guides utilize flexible boundaries (flexible shells) that can be deformed to adjust track positions. This approach provides adjustability without complex mechanical mechanisms, as the flexibility itself enables repositioning through controlled deformation rather than intricate adjustment devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Manufacturing precision

If the guide element engages with rigid track guides, then the guiding precision is improved, but the wear on the guide element increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding precisionVSAvoidwear on guide element
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible boundaries of the track guides reduce wear on the guide element by providing a more compliant engagement surface. The flexibility allows for smoother interaction with the guide element, reducing friction and wear while maintaining guiding precision through controlled deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

Enables easy adjustment of transfer positions and distribution widths, reducing wear on guide elements and enhancing flexibility in distributing goods to downstream facilities.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible boundaries can, for example, be long sheets or comprise long sheets. These can be deformed with comparatively little force and thus allow adjustment of the distribution width of the support plate line distributor and/or the spacing between individual tracks over a wide range.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4464629A1Carrier plate line distributor for distributing material to be conveyed from a track to a plurality of tracks
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4464629A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4464629A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4464629A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Support plate line distributor (100) for distributing conveyed material (130) from one track (151) to several tracks (153, 154, 155), the support plate line distributor comprising a conveyor belt (101), at least one support plate (102) arranged on the conveyor belt and movable transversely to a conveying direction (T) of conveyed material with a guide element (132), a guide (105) with a single-track area (151) and a multi-track area (152) arranged downstream of the single-track area in the conveying direction (T) with at least two track guides (253, 254) into which the guide element (132) can engage, and an adjusting element (270) for adjusting a position of at least one of the two track guides (253, 254) transversely to the conveying direction (T).