Suspended Conveyor Profile Connector With Falling-Edge Running Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor devices with rail profiles face issues due to manufacturing tolerances and assembly inaccuracies, leading to potential damage from 'leading edges' at connection points, requiring precise alignment and frequent adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A connection adapter with a ramp-shaped running surface inclined at an angle between 0.5° and 2.5°, allowing for larger manufacturing tolerances and simplifying the alignment of rail profile sections by creating a 'falling edge' instead of a 'leading edge' at connection points, thus avoiding damage and reducing the need for complex adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tight manufacturing tolerances and precise alignment are implemented to avoid lead edges, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess reliabilityVSAvoidalignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A connection adapter is introduced as an intermediary component between profile sections. The adapter features a running surface with a falling edge geometry that mediates the transition between sections, absorbing alignment variations and preventing leading edges from forming, thus maintaining reliability without requiring precise alignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The running surface of the connection adapter is designed with a specific geometric parameter - a falling edge with defined angle and dimensions. This parameter change in the surface geometry transforms the interaction between profile sections, converting potential leading edges into controlled falling edges that guide holding adapters smoothly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If precise alignment of profile sections is performed during assembly, then manufacturing precision is improved, but assembly time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection adapter serves as a mediator that compensates for alignment imprecisions. Its falling edge running surface design allows profile sections to be connected without requiring precise alignment, as the adapter's geometry automatically accommodates variations and prevents leading edge formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The rail profile system is segmented into modular profile sections connected by individual connection adapters. This segmentation allows each section to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, and the adapters handle the alignment compensation, eliminating the need for precise alignment during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If complex alignment procedures are implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection adapter with its specially designed running surface acts as a mediator that eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures. The falling edge geometry inherently guides holding adapters through the connection point, making the assembly process simple and tolerant of manufacturing variations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4230550A1Profile connector of suspended conveyor profiles
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 DEMATIC GMBH

AI summary

Connecting adapter (1) for connecting profile sections (100) of a rail profile in a conveyor device for transporting hanging objects, wherein the connecting adapter (1) has inside a running surface (2) for the bearing of holding adapters (20) which are in particular mounted on rollers (21), wherein the running surface (2) is arranged at an angle to a profile extension direction (PER) of the connecting adapter (1) such that a cross-section of an interior (3) of the connecting adapter (1), which is bounded by the running surface (2), is larger at a first end face (4) of the connecting adapter (1) than at a second end face (5) of the connecting adapter (1).