Confluence Guide Segmented Structure for Merging Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyance systems face challenges in merging secondary and main paths without causing damage or obstruction, as articles may not be transferred properly, leading to scratches or getting stuck due to gaps between guide plates and conveyance paths.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance system with a confluence guide featuring a guide bottom portion and a guide standing portion connected without gaps, where articles are pushed horizontally to ensure smooth transfer from the secondary to the main path, with adjustable timing and path arrangements to prevent collisions and ensure proper alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If articles are dropped from the end portion of the secondary conveyance path located above the main conveyance path, then articles can be transferred from the secondary conveyance path to the main conveyance path, but foreign matters such as dust may also drop and adhere to the main conveyance path and articles
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate is divided into a standing portion (vertical section) and a bottom portion (horizontal section), creating a segmented structure that prevents foreign matters from reaching the main conveyance path while allowing articles to transfer smoothly
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plate acts as an intermediary structure between the secondary and main conveyance paths, blocking foreign matters while facilitating article transfer through its specifically designed geometry
2Area of stationary object
If the secondary conveyance path is arranged horizontally side by side with the main conveyance path at the same height, then installation space is reduced, but articles may enter the gap between the guide plate and secondary conveyance path causing improper transfer, scratches, or blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate is segmented into a standing portion and a bottom portion, where the bottom portion extends toward the secondary conveyance path to prevent articles from entering gaps while the standing portion provides vertical guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plate's bottom portion is designed to dynamically adapt to the article's position, pushing articles that attempt to enter the gap back onto the conveyance path while allowing proper articles to pass through
3Ease of operation
If a guide plate extends in the vertical direction to push articles towards the main conveyance path, then articles can be transferred horizontally, but articles may enter the gap between the guide plate and secondary conveyance path
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate is divided into functional segments: the standing portion for vertical guidance and the bottom portion for preventing gap entry, with each segment performing a specific function to ensure reliable article transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The guide plate's bottom portion automatically pushes back articles that attempt to enter the gap without requiring external intervention, making the system self-correcting and reliable
Data Source
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AI summary
A conveyance system (10) includes: a main conveyance unit (11) that conveys an article (90) in a main conveyance path (21) including a confluence section (Pm); a secondary conveyance unit (12) that conveys an article (90) in a secondary conveyance path (22); and a confluence guide (13) including a guide bottom portion (41) and a guide standing portion (42) that is connected to the guide bottom portion (41) without a gap and extends upwards from the guide bottom portion (41), wherein an article (90) conveyed by the secondary conveyance unit (12) is pushed in a horizontal direction by the guide standing portion (42) in a state where at least part of the article (90) is placed on the guide bottom portion (41) in such a manner that a whole of the article (90) is transferred to the main conveyance path (21) at the confluence section (Pm).