Conveyor Aligner Belt With Guide Member In Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carton aligners are difficult to maintain and prone to excessive wear due to complex synchronization requirements between two driven circular belts, necessitating a cumbersome replacement process.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system aligner featuring a continuous aligning belt with a contact portion and a guide member, where the guide member has a cross-section that increases in width away from the contact portion, allowing it to be captured by a channel with a V-shaped surface configuration, enabling low-friction travel and easy maintenance by allowing the belt to be replaced without disrupting the conveyor system's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pair of vertically spaced driven circular belts are used to align cartons, then carton alignment is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to maintain and subject to excessive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning belt is segmented into two distinct parts: a contact portion that interfaces with cartons and a guide member that travels in the channel. This segmentation allows the guide member to be replaced independently without removing the contact portion, simplifying maintenance while maintaining alignment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the continuous aligning belt. This extraction enables the guide member to be removed and replaced independently, eliminating the need to remove and replace the entire belt assembly, thereby improving ease of repair while maintaining system reliability
2Ease of operation
If two driven circular belts are used for alignment, then alignment function is provided, but complex synchronization procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is extracted as a separate component that travels independently in the channel without requiring its own drive system. This eliminates the need for complex synchronization between two driven belts, simplifying the device while maintaining the alignment function through the continuous aligning belt
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of guiding and aligning are merged into a single continuous aligning belt system where the guide member provides guidance while the contact portion performs alignment. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate driven belts and their associated synchronization complexity
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the aligning belt travels along a vertical support surface, then continuous alignment is achieved, but impact forces are transferred to the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning belt is segmented into a contact portion and a guide member, where the guide member travels in the channel and the contact portion interfaces with cartons. This segmentation isolates impact forces to the contact portion, preventing their transfer to the channel and extending channel durability
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary between the aligning belt and the channel. It provides a low-friction interface that allows the belt to travel continuously while preventing impact forces from being transferred to the channel structure, thereby protecting the channel from damage
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
The solution results in a robust and easy-to-maintain conveyor system aligner that reduces downtime and wear, as the aligning belt can be readily replaced and operates effectively over long lengths without transferring impact forces to the channel, ensuring durability and efficient carton alignment.
Implementation Method 1
The glide surface is configured to travel along the support surface
Implementation Method 2
The guide member is adapted to be captured by the channel and travels in the channel to support the aligning belt
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor system aligner, method of aligning and continuous aligning belt includes providing a belt support assembly having a generally vertical support surface and a channel defined in the support surface. A belt drive propels the aligning belt along the support surface and items, such as cartons, are conveyed past the aligning belt. A continuous aligning belt is provided that has a contact portion and a guide member. The contact portion has a contact surface and a glide surface. The glide surface is configured to travel along the support surface. The guide member is adapted to be captured by the channel and travels in the channel to support the aligning belt.