Adjustable Conveyor Support With Turntable Staging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor systems face challenges in efficiently moving items between locations with varying heights and requiring adaptable support structures and control systems for precise item handling.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor system comprising a conveyor belt with a support structure featuring adjustable legs and a staging structure with a turntable, along with a control system and power source, allows for the movement of items from one location to another, including the ability to pivot and orbit the conveyor belt for efficient item transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conveyor system uses fixed support structures, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot adapt to different heights and locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different heightsVSAvoidcomplexity of support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support legs are designed with adjustable length mechanisms that allow dynamic modification of the conveyor belt's height and position. Each leg can be independently adjusted to different lengths, enabling the conveyor to adapt to various operational requirements while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a conveyor system uses adjustable support legs, then it can adapt to different heights, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of conveyor positionVSAvoidcomplexity of leg mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple independent adjustable legs rather than a single complex mechanism. Each leg functions as an independent unit with its own adjustment capability, allowing the system to achieve overall adaptability through simple, modular components that can be individually adjusted without affecting other parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If a conveyor system includes a turntable and adjustable legs, then item handling precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of item positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turntable mechanism serves multiple functions: it positions items horizontally before conveyance, enables the conveyor belt to be loaded at various angles, and works in conjunction with the adjustable legs to achieve precise three-dimensional positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentUS10450148B2Conveyor system
Publication Date: 2019.10.22 FIRE CATT LLC
  • US10450148B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A conveyor system includes a conveyor, a support structure, and a staging structure. The conveyor includes a proximal end and a distal end and is operable to move an item from the proximal end to the distal end. The support structure includes a first leg and a second leg. The first leg supports the proximal end of the conveyor. The second leg supports the distal end of the conveyor. The staging structure is disposed at the proximal end of the conveyor and includes a turntable operable to rotate about a first axis.