Ceramic Loading Conveyor Variable Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for loading/unloading ceramic products into/from roller storage boxes face constrained interaxis and transversal encumbrances, limiting plant flexibility and design optimization due to restricted positioning configurations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus allows for variable positioning of the conveyor line and first roller conveyor relative to the box loading/unloading station, enabling unconstrained interaxis variation and minimized transversal encumbrance by positioning these components in perpendicular directions within or external to the spatial region defined by the lift planes, using parallel motorized rollers and transport belts for flexible interchanging of ceramic products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor line and first roller conveyor are positioned in fixed configurations relative to the box loading/unloading station, then the structural stability is improved, but the plant flexibility and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the conveyor line and first roller conveyor positionable in variable configurations relative to the box loading/unloading station. Instead of fixed positioning, the system allows dynamic adjustment of positions along perpendicular directions, enabling the plant to adapt to different operational requirements while maintaining structural integrity through controlled positioning mechanisms.
2Area of stationary object
If the conveyor components are positioned within the spatial region defined by lift planes, then the transversal encumbrance is minimized, but the positioning flexibility is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing another dimension for positioning flexibility. While the conveyor components are positioned within the spatial region defined by lift planes to minimize transversal encumbrance, the system allows movement along perpendicular directions (longitudinal and vertical dimensions), thereby maintaining positioning flexibility without increasing transversal footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the interaxis between conveyor line and reference box is continuously variable, then the plant design optimization is improved, but the mechanical constraint complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional positioning system that can accommodate continuous variation of interaxis distances. The conveyor line and first roller conveyor are equipped with adjustable positioning mechanisms that can adapt to different interaxis configurations, allowing the same mechanical structure to serve multiple positioning requirements without requiring complex specialized constraints for each configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 3c~3d
AI summary
The apparatus (1) loading/unloading ceramic products into/from roller storage boxes comprises: a station (2) for loading/unloading roller boxes operating on at least a pair of the roller boxes (3, 4), the station comprising at least an arm (5) that is vertically mobile with respect to a guide frame (6, 60) and provided with organs for alternating motorisation of heads of the rollers of each plane of the pair of boxes (3, 4); at least a first roller (70) conveyor (7), positioned on a ground surface, identifying a half-way axis (Y) perpendicular to the respective rollers, for interchanging ceramic products with a transport line (8); a pair of lift planes (30, 40) mobile only vertically, for spatially connecting the roller planes of the corresponding facing box (3, 4); a plurality of motorized parallel rollers (31, 41), associated to each lift plane (30, 40), for commanded interchanging of ceramic products between the relative facing box (3, 4) and the first roller conveyor (7) positioned on the ground; the motorized rollers (31, 41) being orientated parallel to the roller of the boxes (3, 4) so as to enable interchange of ceramic products between the boxes (3, 4) and the lift planes (30, 40) in a perpendicular trajectory to the respective rollers; conveyor means (9) positioned on a ground surface for commanded interchanging of ceramic products between each lift plane (30, 40) and the first roller conveyor (7); the first roller conveyor (7) being positionable in a variable configuration, with respect to the conveyor means (9), along a perpendicular direction to the half-way axis (Y); with interchanging of ceramic products between the conveyor means (9) and each lift plane (30, 40) which occurs in perpendicular directions with respect to the rollers (31, 41) of the lift planes (30, 40).