Conveyance Device with Rotating Shaft for Directional Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conveyance systems require large installation spaces due to their complexly branched conveyor lines, which limit their ability to direct objects to be conveyed in arbitrary directions.

Innovation Solution

A conveyance device featuring a rotating body with a main and sub rotating portion, driven by a power source that supplies rotational force, allowing the device to change orientation and convey objects in various directions without needing extensive space, by using a support shaft that rotates independently and intersects with the driving axis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a sorting system uses multiple transfer devices with complexly branched conveyor lines to convey objects in various directions, then the ability to handle diverse conveyance directions is improved, but the installation space required increases considerably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance direction capabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple conveyor line functions into a single integrated device. The rotating body with multiple rotating portions (first, second, and third rotating portions) allows one device to perform the functions of multiple transfer devices, enabling conveyance in various directions without requiring multiple separate devices and complexly branched conveyor lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic orientation adjustment through rotating bodies. The first rotating portion rotates around a first rotation axis, the second rotating portion rotates around a second rotation axis, and the third rotating portion rotates around a third rotation axis. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt conveyance directions as needed, providing versatility without requiring fixed complex conveyor line branches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If transfer devices are arranged to selectively convey objects in two specific directions, then the device structure is simplified, but the ability to convey objects in arbitrary directions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidconveyance direction flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar conveyance to three-dimensional spatial conveyance. By introducing vertical stacking of rotating portions and multiple rotation axes (first, second, and third rotation axes), the device achieves conveyance in arbitrary directions including vertical and oblique angles, not limited to horizontal plane directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating body is designed as a universal conveyance mechanism that can perform multiple conveyance functions. The first rotating portion, second rotating portion, and third rotating portion work together to enable the single device to convey objects in various directions (vertical, oblique, horizontal), replacing multiple specialized transfer devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables the conveyance of objects in multiple directions within a narrow space, simplifying the sorting system and reducing installation requirements while maintaining stable object conveyance.

Implementation Method 1

a driving body in contact with the main rotating portion and the sub rotating portion, the driving body supplying a rotational force to at least the main rotating portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3828105B1Conveyance device and conveyance direction changing device
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 ITOH ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED
  • EP3828105B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3828105B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3828105B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A conveyance roller (3) including a support shaft (31), a main rotating portion (34), and a sub rotating portion (35), and a driving body (50 that is in contact with the main rotating portion (34) and the sub rotating portion (35) and that supplies a rotational force to the main rotating portion (34) and the sub rotating portion (35) are provided, wherein the main rotating portion (34 and the sub rotating portion (35) are attached along the support shaft (31) and are rotatable independently of each other around the support shaft (31, the sub rotating portion (35) is not configured to contact an object to be conveyed but the main rotating portion (34) is configured to contact the object to be conveyed and bias the object to be conveyed, the driving body (50) is rotated by power around a rotation shaft (51) in a direction intersecting with the support shaft (31), the support shaft (31) is configured to change an orientation of the support shaft (31) by rotating around the rotation shaft (51), and the driving body (50) is in contact with the main rotating portion (34) and the sub rotating portion (35) regardless of the orientation of the support shaft (31).