Articulated Conveyor System With Segmented Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems lack the flexibility and precision to efficiently handle packages across varying loading and unloading conditions, particularly in terms of adjusting conveyor lengths and angles to accommodate different sizes and orientations of packages.
Innovation Solution
An articulated conveyor system comprising a main conveyor, transition conveyor, and distal conveyor, with adjustable lengths and pivotal axes, allowing for a combination of coarse and fine adjustments, similar to a human arm configuration, enabling smooth and accurate conveyance of packages along a full length at high speed in multiple directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional conveyor systems use fixed length and angle configurations, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system lacks flexibility to accommodate varying package sizes and orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into multiple independently adjustable sections (first conveyor section, second conveyor section, third conveyor section) that can be configured separately. Each section has its own length and angle adjustment capabilities, allowing the system to adapt to different package sizes and orientations while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the length and angle of each conveyor section to be changed during operation or reconfiguration. This includes extendable conveyor belts and adjustable support structures that enable the system to transition between different configurations to accommodate varying loading and unloading conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the conveyor system includes multiple adjustable sections with pivotal axes, then precision and smooth conveyance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex adjustment system is segmented into distinct functional sections, each with specific adjustment capabilities. The first conveyor section handles coarse length adjustment, while the second and third sections provide angular adjustment and fine positioning. This segmentation allows precision to be achieved without requiring every section to have all adjustment capabilities, thereby managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system utilizes multiple pivotal axes that operate in different dimensions and planes. The first pivotal axis operates in a first plane, the second pivotal axis in a second plane, and the third pivotal axis in a third plane. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows precise three-dimensional positioning of packages while distributing the mechanical complexity across separate, independently controlled adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The example conveyor systems disclosed herein provide an articulated assembly that may include a main conveyor (14), a transition conveyor (16), a snoot conveyor (18) and/or a distal conveyor (20). In some examples, an example articulated assembly may include components modeled after, or somewhat analogous to, a human arm where the main conveyor (14) is the forearm, the transition conveyor (16) is the wrist, the snoot conveyor (18) is the hand, and the distal conveyor (20) is a finger. Such an arrangement may provide a combination of relatively course and fine adjustment to quickly and/or accurately pick up or discharge conveyed packages and to smoothly convey the packages along a full length of the conveyor system at high speed in either a forward direction or a reverse direction. Some example transition conveyors (16) include side guides that extend and/or retract automatically in reaction to part of the conveyor system turning laterally in a first direction (e.g., a right direction) and/or a second direction (e.g., a left direction).