Conveyance Carriage Floating Detection via Fin Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional article conveying facilities face the risk of derailment due to centrifugal force and vertical motion when conveyance carriages travel through curved or inclined paths, necessitating reliable detection and prevention of floating to prevent derailment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a floating detection apparatus that utilizes a contact portion protruding below the rail surface, which is contacted by a driving apparatus, to detect floating of the conveyance carriage by sensing the presence or absence of this portion within a predetermined vertical range, thereby preventing derailment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conveyance carriage travels through a curved portion or inclined portion of the conveyance path, then the article can be conveyed from the loading conveyor to the delivery conveyor, but the conveyance carriage may float up from the rails and derail due to centrifugal force or vertical motion
Solution Approach 1:
The floating detection apparatus detects floating of the conveyance carriage before derailment occurs. By monitoring the position of the contact portion relative to the driving apparatus at curved and inclined sections, the system takes preliminary action to identify and prevent derailment conditions, allowing for corrective measures before the carriage actually derails
Solution Approach 2:
The floating detection apparatus provides continuous feedback on the vertical position of the conveyance carriage by detecting whether the contact portion is properly positioned relative to the driving apparatus. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring and correction of floating conditions, maintaining reliable operation through closed-loop control
2Reliability
If a floating detection apparatus is added to detect conveyance carriage floating, then derailment can be prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving apparatus serves multiple functions: it provides the driving force to move the conveyance carriage along the path and simultaneously acts as a reference element for the floating detection apparatus. The detection system uses the existing driving apparatus structure rather than requiring entirely separate components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable derailment prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The contact portion of the conveyance carriage acts as an intermediary element that connects the carriage body to the detection function. By detecting the position of this contact portion relative to the driving apparatus, the system indirectly monitors carriage floating without requiring direct measurement of the carriage body itself, simplifying the detection mechanism
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
This solution allows for reliable detection and prevention of floating, ensuring the conveyance carriage remains on the rails, even in curved or inclined sections, thereby preventing derailment and maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a driving apparatus that drives the conveyance carriage by utilizing a frictional force generated by contact with the conveyance carriage
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Article conveying facility 10 is facility in which an article 90 is conveyed by a conveyance carriage 20 travelling on a pair of left and right rails 14 provided along a conveyance path K. The article conveying facility 10 includes a carriage driving apparatus 50 that drives the conveyance carriage 20 by utilizing a frictional force generated by contact with the conveyance carriage 20, and sensors 41, 42, 43 and 44 that detect floating of the conveyance carriage 20 with respect to the rails 14. The conveyance carriage 20 includes a fin 26 that contacts the carriage driving apparatus 50. The fin 26 is provided so as to extend along the travelling direction of the conveyance carriage 20, at a lower position than the position of an upper surface 14a of the rails 14. The sensors 41, 42, 43 and 44 detect floating of the conveyance carriage 20 with respect to the rails 14 by detecting the fin 26.