Displaceable Conveyor Dogs With Grooved Roller Gap Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional self-service checkout systems face delays due to limited bag availability, requiring staff intervention when customers purchase more items than can fit in the available bags, leading to disruptions in the checkout process.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with carriers arranged perpendicularly to the transport direction, which are deflected by a groove in the deflection roller, minimizing the gap between the transport device and subsequent systems, ensuring smooth transfer of goods without falling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the driver projects upwards beyond the transport plane to push goods over the scanner glass plate, then the goods can be successfully transported over the scanner, but the gap between the deflection roller and subsequent system increases, creating a risk that goods may fall into the gap

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods transport reliabilityVSAvoidgap-induced hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The driver is nested into a groove in the deflection roller during deflection, with the driver being received within the groove structure. This nesting arrangement allows the driver to be positioned precisely within the roller's contour, minimizing the gap between the transport device and subsequent systems while maintaining the ability to push goods effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection roller is designed with a specific groove structure that provides localized support and positioning for the driver. The groove has specific dimensional characteristics (depth, width, shape) that are optimized to accommodate the driver in a way that minimizes gap formation while maintaining sufficient projection for goods manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the driver is received completely within the groove (flush with outer surface), then the gap is minimized, but the driver may not protrude enough to effectively push goods over the deflection roller

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap minimizationVSAvoidgoods pushing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The groove dimensions (depth, width, shape) are specifically designed and optimized to provide the right balance between gap minimization and driver projection. The parameters of the groove are tuned so that the driver receives sufficient support while maintaining adequate protrusion for effective goods manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The groove structure provides localized geometric features that enable the driver to achieve both minimal gap formation and sufficient projection. The specific shape and dimensions of the groove create optimal local conditions for the driver's position and function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2257203B1Transport device having displaceable dogs
Publication Date: 2013.10.16 WINCOR NIXDORF INT GMBH
  • EP2257203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2257203B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport device (11) having dogs (18) that are displaceable in the transport direction (10) and that are arranged perpendicular to the transport direction (10), said dogs being deflected by a deflection roller (17). The deflection roller (17) comprises at least one groove (20) for receiving at least one dog (18).