Adjustable Tray Stacker Assembly for Mixed-Size Destacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stacker/destacker systems are inflexible and require custom components for non-standardized trays, leading to increased costs and reduced productivity when handling trays of different sizes and dimensions.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable stacker/destacker assembly with a conveyor system featuring adjustable rails, lift subassemblies with independently adjustable arms, and catch-arm subassemblies that accommodate trays of varying dimensions and shapes, allowing for universal stacking and destacking without custom fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional stacker/destacker systems use built-to-size components for specific standardized trays, then stacking/destacking effectiveness is improved, but adaptability to different tray sizes and dimensions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the arms and rails adjustable rather than fixed. The arms can be repositioned along the rails to different locations, allowing the system to dynamically adapt its configuration to accommodate various tray sizes and dimensions while maintaining reliable stacking and destacking operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a single stacker/destacker system that can handle multiple types of trays with different dimensions. The adjustable arms and rails allow one system to perform the function of multiple specialized systems, eliminating the need for custom-built components for each tray type
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems are reconfigured to accommodate non-standard trays, then adaptability is improved, but expense and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable arms and rails allow rapid reconfiguration without requiring system shutdown or complex assembly changes. This dynamic adaptability enables quick adjustment to non-standard trays while maintaining continuous operation and high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows preliminary adjustment of arm positions and rail configurations before tray stacking operations begin. This pre-positioning capability ensures that the system is optimally configured for each tray type, eliminating downtime and maintaining productivity
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies, systems, and methods for stacking, destacking, or stacking and destacking a plurality of trays that includes a conveyor having a first rail and a second rail; a lift subassembly configured to stack or destack a plurality of trays having predetermined dimensions, the lift subassembly comprising a first set of arms slidably coupled to a lift plate; a second set of arms slidably coupled to the lift plate; and a bracket configured to slidably couple the lift subassembly to the first rail and the second rail, wherein the first rail, the second rail, or the first and second rails are adjustable along the bracket of the lift subassembly to correspond to the predetermined dimensions of the plurality of trays, and wherein each of the first and second sets of arms are independently adjustable to correspond to the predetermined dimensions of the plurality of trays.