Deflectable Bristle Stabilizer for Carrier Basket Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face issues with carrier basket alignment at higher transport speeds, leading to swinging due to centrifugal forces, which can cause interference with loading/unloading station support fingers or result in product tipping, especially in curved sections of the pathway.
Innovation Solution
A carrier basket stabilizing system is introduced, featuring a support with deflectable elements, such as bristles, positioned adjacent to the conveyor pathway to suppress swinging movements of the carrier baskets, ensuring alignment and preventing interference with loading/unloading stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If transport speed is increased to improve productivity, then productivity increases, but carrier basket alignment stability deteriorates due to centrifugal forces causing swinging
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable element applies a counteracting force to the carrier basket before significant swinging occurs, preventing the harmful centrifugal effect from developing. The element is positioned to contact the basket as it enters the curved section, applying a stabilizing force that opposes the incoming centrifugal force, thereby maintaining alignment stability even at high transport speeds.
2Ease of operation
If carrier baskets are pivotally mounted to allow flexibility, then ease of operation improves, but stability deteriorates as baskets swing under centrifugal force in curved sections
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable element acts as an intermediary between the carrier basket and the source of centrifugal disturbance. It provides a controlled interaction point that allows the basket to remain pivotally mounted for flexibility while introducing a stabilizing influence that prevents excessive swinging. The element mediates between the basket's need to move freely and the need to maintain alignment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If deflectable element extends further into the space envelope to increase stabilizing effect, then alignment stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable element is positioned to provide stabilization only in the specific location where it is needed - at the entrance to the curved section where centrifugal forces begin to affect the basket. The element's deflection characteristics are locally optimized to provide just enough stabilizing force without requiring complex mechanisms or extensive extension into the basket's space envelope.
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
The stabilizing system effectively maintains carrier basket alignment, preventing interference with loading/unloading station support fingers and reducing product movement issues, thereby ensuring smooth and stable transport.
Implementation Method 1
The deflectable element comprises bristles that are configured to suppress at least one of an inward or an outward swinging movement of the carrier basket
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier basket stabilizing system and method for use with a conveyor system having a pathway on which cars are guided, with at least some of the cars having a carrier basket pivotally mounted thereon. The conveyor system includes a curved portion of the pathway, that may be directly before at least one of a loading station or an unloading station. The system includes a support configured to be located adjacent to a portion of the pathway, with a deflectable element on the support that extends generally parallel to the portion of the pathway, with the deflectable element extending partially into a space envelope generated by the carrier basket as it moves through the portion of the pathway. The deflectable element includes bristles that suppress an outward swinging movement of the carrier basket.