Arced Conveyor Panel Sorting Without Robots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional panel-carrying-out apparatuses require a large space and high manufacturing costs due to the need for a robot sorting device and positioning device, which are not efficient for high-speed manufacturing of varying panel sizes.

Innovation Solution

A panel-carrying-out apparatus that includes a sorting conveyor with arced conveyors at its ends, allowing panels to be efficiently sorted and conveyed without the need for a robot sorting device, using a first conveyor that can switch directions to accommodate continuous panel delivery and featuring arced or linear designs to handle panels of different sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a robot sorting device and positioning device are used to sort and position panels, then panel sorting and positioning capability is improved, but apparatus size and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel sorting and positioning capabilityVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the robot sorting device and positioning device from the panel carrying-out apparatus. Instead of using complex robotic systems, the patent employs a simplified conveyor system with arced conveyors that naturally guide panels to their destinations through geometric design, removing the need for active positioning mechanisms and reducing overall apparatus size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The arced conveyors are designed to automatically guide panels to the correct loading positions through their curved geometry, without requiring external positioning devices or robotic intervention. The panel's own movement along the arced path achieves the sorting and positioning function that would otherwise require complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a robot sorting device and positioning device are used to sort and position panels, then panel sorting and positioning capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel sorting and positioning capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive robotic sorting and positioning systems with simple, inexpensive conveyor components. The arced conveyors are basic mechanical elements that perform the function of complex robotic systems at a fraction of the cost, using simple geometry rather than expensive actuators and control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If panels are conveyed through a sorting system, then panel sorting capability is improved, but processing time increases due to waiting for panel conveyance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel sorting capabilityVSAvoidpanel conveyance waiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The first conveyor is designed to operate continuously without waiting for panels to be fully conveyed to the arced conveyors. Multiple panels can be loaded onto the first conveyor in sequence, and as each panel reaches the arced conveyor section, it is automatically diverted. This continuous loading process eliminates idle time and maintains constant productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Panels are preliminarily positioned and oriented on the first conveyor before reaching the arced conveyor section. The conveyor system prepares panels for sorting in advance, ensuring they are properly positioned for automatic diversion at the arced section, which streamlines the sorting process and reduces processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If straight conveyors are used to convey panels, then conveying simplicity is improved, but handling of larger panels and 90-degree turning capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyor system simplicityVSAvoidpanel size adaptability and turning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces arced conveyors with curved paths to enable 90-degree panel turning. The arced geometry naturally guides panels through a smooth rotational movement, changing their orientation without requiring complex positioning devices. This curved path design allows the simple conveyor system to handle larger panels and achieve directional changes that straight conveyors cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8037998B2Panel-carrying-out apparatus

Publication Date: 2011.10.18 KOMATSU LTD

AI summary

A panel-carrying-out apparatus used for conveying panels ejected from a press machine includes: a semicircular sorting conveyor adapted to be driven switchably in a normal direction or a reverse direction; and a pair of straight conveyors respectively disposed at ends of the sorting conveyor. Each of the panels from the press machine is mounted on the center position of the sorting conveyor in terms of a conveying path. Specifically, an arced conveyor included in the sorting conveyor, on which each of the panels is initially mounted, is adapted to be driven switchably in the normal direction or the reverse direction.