Conveyor Deflection Drive Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems with deflection stations face challenges in maintaining precise control over load carrier position and movement during direction changes, often requiring additional position detection measures due to frictional engagement and high acceleration/deceleration demands, leading to wear and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system design where two guide elements of the load carrier are positively engaged with the guide surfaces of a drive element in a circular trajectory, ensuring precise positioning and gentle direction changes, with guide grooves facilitating smooth engagement and disengagement, reducing wear and the need for additional position detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If frictional engagement drive elements are used in deflection stations, then the load carrier can be driven through the deflection area, but the position of the load carrier cannot be clearly inferred and additional position detection measures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - a form-fitting connection between the drive element and load carrier - that mediates between the drive function and position detection function. This connection allows the drive element to both drive the load carrier and clearly indicate its position, eliminating the need for separate position detection measures
Solution Approach 2:
The drive element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides frictional engagement for driving the load carrier through the deflection area, and through its form-fitting connection, it also serves as a position indicator. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same element responsible for both drive operation and position detection
2Ease of operation
If corner deflection stations are used to change conveying direction, then the load carrier can be deflected, but high decelerations and accelerations are necessary requiring powerful drive motors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the corner deflection station with a curved conveyor track section that has a smooth, continuous curvature. This curved path allows the load carrier to change direction gradually through centrifugal force and gravity, eliminating the need for high decelerations and accelerations that would require powerful drive motors
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple turntables with form-fitting engagement are used in deflection stations, then precise positioning is achieved, but several high-power drives with precise coupling are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple turntables into a single curved conveyor track design. Instead of using several separate turntables each requiring their own high-power drive and precise coupling, the curved track achieves the same positioning accuracy through its geometric design, eliminating the need for multiple complex drive systems
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 design allows for precise control over load carrier position and movement during deflection, reducing wear and complexity, enabling accurate placement at processing stations with lower power requirements and minimal abrupt changes, thus enhancing system efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
disc-shaped drive elements are often used in the prior art, which drive the load carriers within the deflection area with frictional engagement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The conveying system (1) has a guide track (3) with a circular arc-like deflection section (8) extending around a rotational axis (9), and a load carrier (2) that is having guide elements (4), particularly four guiding rollers (5) and that is moved along the guide track and guided transverse to the guide track. Two guide elements (13,14) of the load carrier that are distanced from each other are guided in the deflection section in the conveying direction (10) from a circular arc-like curved, firm outer guide surface (12) of the guide track, where a driving element (16) is also provided. An independent claim is also included for a method for driving and selectively positioning a load carrier.