Ceramic Tile Handling System Using Vertical Arms and Tray Elevators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for loading and unloading ceramic products from roller storage boxes are costly to install, maintain, and pose safety risks due to complex mechanisms and difficult alignment, leading to high collision probabilities during operation.

Innovation Solution

A handling system featuring a loading/unloading station with vertically moving arms and independent tray elevators that facilitate controlled exchange of tiles between boxes and a ground-level roller conveyor, reducing the need for complex roller conveyors and allowing safer, more flexible operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a powered roller track with horizontal and vertical translation is used to act on a pair of boxes in rapid sequence, then the system production rate is increased, but the handling and maintenance costs increase and the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem production rateVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus divides the loading/unloading function into separate vertical arms for each box, rather than using a single complex roller track that moves horizontally and vertically. Each arm operates independently to power rollers on its assigned box, segmenting the complex motion into simpler, dedicated vertical movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the roller track horizontally and vertically to reach different boxes, the invention inverts the approach by having fixed vertical arms that move only vertically along guides. The boxes are positioned at different locations, and the arms independently service each box without requiring horizontal translation of the mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem production rateVSAvoidhandling and maintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the loading/unloading function into independent vertical arms, each serving a specific box. This segmentation simplifies maintenance by isolating failure points to individual arms rather than a single complex roller track, reducing handling and maintenance costs while maintaining rapid sequence operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by eliminating horizontal translation of the roller track. Instead, vertical arms remain fixed in position and only move vertically along guides, dramatically simplifying the mechanical structure and reducing maintenance requirements while preserving the ability to service multiple boxes in rapid sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Extent of automation

If complex roller conveyors are used for loading and unloading, then tiles can be handled automatically, but the working areas become dangerous and collision probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic tile handlingVSAvoidcollision risk to operators

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the dangerous horizontal translation mechanism from the system. By eliminating the powered roller track that moves horizontally and vertically, the source of collision risk is removed. Automatic tile handling is maintained through simpler vertical arms that power box rollers, reducing the working areas where operators are exposed to moving machinery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the complex, expensive, and dangerous roller track with simpler, more reliable vertical arms. These arms have fewer moving parts and lower complexity, reducing both the collision hazard to operators and the cost of the system while maintaining automatic tile handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Extent of automation

If a powered roller track is used to connect the work unit to conveyor means, then tile conveyance is automated, but the system dimensions increase and installation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetile conveyance automationVSAvoidsystem dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional arrangement by eliminating the horizontal translation of the roller track. Vertical arms are positioned at fixed locations and only move vertically, removing the need for extensive horizontal space and complex installation requirements while maintaining automated tile conveyance through the box roller mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP1752398B1Apparatus for loading/unloading ceramic products to/from roller storage boxes

Publication Date: 2008.12.03 SIMA SRL

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9

AI summary

The proposed apparatus (1) for loading/unloading ceramic products and the like to/from roller storage boxes includes: a station (2) for loading/unloading the boxes, which operates on a pair of roller boxes (3, 4) and includes at least one arm (5), moving vertically and having means for alternate motorization of the heads of rollers of each plane of the pair of boxes (3, 4). A pair of tray elevators (30, 40) moves vertically for spatial connection of the tracks of the corresponding facing box (3, 4) and at least one first ground roller conveyor (7), for interchanging ceramic products with a conveying line (8). Means (31, 32, 41, 42) are connected to each tray elevator (30, 40), for controlled interchange of ceramic products between the relative facing box (3, 4) and the first ground roller conveyor (7).