Adjustable Transport Device for Varied Article Dimensions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices struggle to efficiently accommodate articles of different dimensions and forms, as they require adjustments to lane widths, which are often cumbersome and not easily adaptable for simultaneous transport of varied sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with adjustable single lanes, each equipped with a separating element, utilizing a displacing means to adjust lane widths transversely, allowing for flexible grouping and combination of lanes to accommodate articles of varying dimensions and forms, enabling efficient and quick adaptation to different article sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the widths of single lanes are adjusted for articles of different sizes, then the adaptability to different article dimensions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The transport device is divided into multiple independent single lanes, each with its own separating element and adjustment mechanism. This segmentation allows each lane to be independently adjusted to different widths suitable for specific article sizes, thereby improving adaptability without requiring a complete system redesign for different article types.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device incorporates adjustable lane widths through displacing means that allow dynamic reconfiguration of lane dimensions. The separating elements can be moved transversely to change lane widths, enabling the system to adapt to different article dimensions while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the widths of single lanes are adjusted quickly and easily, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of stable transport may worsen due to potential instability during adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting means are designed to allow preliminary adjustment of lane widths before articles are transported. This enables the operator to configure the appropriate lane width in advance, ensuring stability during transport while maintaining ease of operation through pre-adjustment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusting mechanism is applied locally at each separating element rather than requiring global system adjustment. This localized approach allows individual lanes to be adjusted independently and quickly while maintaining stability in other lanes, balancing ease of operation with transport reliability.
3Productivity
If multiple single lanes are used to transport articles of different sizes simultaneously, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple adjusting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Each single lane is designed as a universal unit capable of transporting different article sizes through independent adjustment. The separating elements and displacing means serve multiple functions: they define lane boundaries, enable width adjustment, and maintain article separation. This multi-functionality allows simultaneous transport of varied sizes while reducing the need for additional specialized mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device and a method for the transport of articles are disclosed. The transport device is provided with a plurality of single lanes for the single articles having a width (BE). Each single lane is provided with one separating element. Adjacent single lanes are separated by one of the separating elements. The widths (BE) are adjustable with at least one displacing means. At least two adjacent single lanes form a group of lanes with a width (BG). Several of the groups of lanes formed in such a way are slidable to each other. The widths are adjustable with at least a further displacing means.