Conveyor Alignment and Holder Release for Precise Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems in industrial facilities face challenges in precisely positioning carriers and product holders at processing stations, particularly in weighing machines, due to mechanical play and rough tolerances, which affect accurate weighing results.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of first and second alignment means, which include movable elements and contact surfaces, allows for precise alignment of carriers and product holders in the X-Y plane, enabling simple and quick release of product holders from carriers, ensuring accurate positioning and weighing without force shunts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If carriers are transported along the conveyor line with rough positioning tolerances, then the conveyor system is simple and easy to operate, but the positioning accuracy at processing stations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning process is segmented into two distinct phases: rough positioning during transport and fine positioning at the processing station. The carrier system uses coarse positioning mechanisms for movement along the conveyor line, then employs separate fine-adjustment mechanisms (such as positioning sensors and adjustable stop elements) to achieve precise alignment only when needed at the processing station, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while achieving high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is preliminarily positioned in the rough processing area during transport, then additional fine-positioning actions are performed at the processing station using adjustable stop elements and positioning sensors. This preliminary rough positioning followed by precise adjustment allows the system to maintain ease of operation during transport while achieving the necessary positioning accuracy for weighing and processing operations.
2Device complexity
If the product holder remains coupled to the carrier, then the weighing process becomes simpler, but the weighing accuracy deteriorates due to force shunts
Solution Approach 1:
The product holder is extracted or decoupled from the carrier specifically for the weighing operation. The carrier and product holder are designed as separate, independently movable components. During weighing, the product holder is separated from the carrier so that only the product weight acts on the weigh cell, eliminating force shunts from the carrier structure. After weighing, the product holder can be recoupled to the carrier for transport to the next processing station.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling between the carrier and product holder is made dynamic rather than static. The product holder can be selectively coupled to or decoupled from the carrier depending on the operational phase. During transport, the product holder is coupled to the carrier for stability. During weighing, the product holder is decoupled to ensure accurate measurement. This dynamic coupling arrangement allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, maintaining simplicity when coupled and achieving high accuracy when decoupled.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor and process for transporting products, wherein a carrier with an associated product holder can be moved along a conveying path by means of a conveyor element. In a processing position, the carrier can be aligned by means of first alignment elements, and second alignment elements are provided for aligning the product holder for disengagement from the carrier.