Overhead Conveyor Feed Switching Movable Sluice Gate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead conveyor systems face challenges in reliably introducing carriers for conveyed goods into a conveying path, requiring complex adaptation measures and specific designs for deflection drums and guide rails, limiting the simplicity and reliability of the transfer process.
Innovation Solution
A movable sluice gate leg designed as a guide rail segment is used to transfer carriers from the second guide rail to the first guide rail, with a joint arrangement allowing it to pivot between infeed and passive positions, enabling carriers to be automatically guided onto the first guide rail using gravity and a guiding element for forced guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a deflection drum with carrier flange and positive guidance elements is used to transfer carriers, then the transfer reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the carrier transfer function from the complex deflection drum mechanism and implements it through a simple movable guide rail segment (sluice gate leg) that pivots between positions. This eliminates the need for carrier flanges, positive guidance elements, and complex switching mechanisms while maintaining reliable carrier transfer from the second guide rail to the first guide rail.
2Measurement precision
If an actively switched converter with monitoring is used for carrier transfer, then the transfer control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable guide rail segment (sluice gate leg) is designed to be self-actuating through gravity. When a carrier approaches, gravity causes the segment to pivot automatically from the passive position to the infeed position, enabling carrier transfer without requiring active switching mechanisms, motors, or monitoring systems. The system uses the carrier's own weight to trigger the transfer action.
3Reliability
If a milling is added to the guide rail of the first conveyor section to enable roller engagement, then the transfer reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is segmented into distinct functional portions: the first guide rail for normal carrier transport, the movable guide rail segment (sluice gate leg) for carrier transfer, and the second guide rail for the other conveying section. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing compared to complex milled features, as the transfer function is achieved through the movable segment's positioning rather than complex rail geometry.
4Adaptability or versatility
If special shape adjustments of the carrier are made to enable engagement with the pusher, then the transfer functionality is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable guide rail segment (sluice gate leg) is designed with universal compatibility to work with standard carriers without requiring special shape adjustments. The segment's guide profile matches the standard carrier roller geometry, allowing the same carrier design to be used across all conveying sections (first, second, and transfer) without modification. This maintains carrier universality while enabling reliable transfer functionality.
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 solution simplifies the construction of the transfer switch device, ensuring reliable and efficient transfer of carriers from one guide rail to another without the need for complex mechanisms or restoring means, allowing seamless operation and reducing the complexity of the conveyor system.
Implementation Method 1
enabling carriers to be automatically guided onto the first guide rail using gravity
Implementation Method 2
with the roller being in engagement with a guide profile of the guide rail
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a switching device for a suspended conveying device, which comprises guiding rails (103, 123) and carriers for material to be conveyed (105), the carriers having a base body (11) and rollers (113a, 113b) protruding away therefrom on opposing sides, wherein the carriers for material to be conveyed (105) can be moved with a roller (113a, 113b) on a guiding rail (103, 123) guided along a conveying path in a suspended manner. The device further comprises a first guiding rail (103), a second guiding rail (123) leading toward the first guiding rail (103), and a feed switching leg (121) for transferring carriers for material to be conveyed (105) from the second guiding rail (123) to the first guiding rail (103). The feed switching leg (121) is held freely pivotally on the second guiding rail (123) by means of a hinged arrangement (130) such that it can be pushed into a feed position by the carriers of material to be conveyed (105) fed via the second guiding rail (123), in this position the leg being able to guide the carrier for material to be conveyed (105) on the first guiding rail (103), wherein the carrier for material to be conveyed (105) moved in a suspended manner with a roller (113b) on the feed switching leg (121) can engage in the first guiding rail (103).