Conveyor Height Sensing With Counterbalanced Pivoting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height sensing devices for conveyor systems do not facilitate smooth deflection of sensing elements, leading to inefficiencies in measuring the height of products.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a sensor rod parallel to the axis, deflecting with the most strongly deflected sensor element, and sensor elements with counterweights for balanced deflection, coupled with a rotation angle sensor to measure deflection and convert it into product height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor elements are arranged to be pivotable on a common axis, then height measurement capability is improved, but deflection smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Counterweights are attached to the sensor elements to balance their weight around the pivot axis. This balancing eliminates gravitational torque that would cause uneven deflection, allowing the sensing fingers to move smoothly and uniformly when contacting products of varying heights, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and deflection smoothness
2Stability of the object's composition
If counterweights are added to sensor elements, then deflection uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight is integrated directly into the sensor element structure itself, forming a unified component. This merging approach achieves balanced deflection uniformity while avoiding the complexity of separate counterweight mechanisms, as the counterbalancing mass becomes an inherent part of the sensing finger assembly
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
Enables smooth and accurate measurement of product height by ensuring uniform deflection of sensing elements, enhancing measurement precision and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an end section of each sensor element which is located on the side of the axis opposite the finger is designed as a counterweight for balancing the sensor element
Implementation Method 2
a rotation angle sensor which serves to measure the angle of rotation of the link located there
Data Source
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AI summary
Height sensing device for determining the height of products lying on a conveyor (10) with a sensing device which can be deflected by the products transported on the conveyor (10) and with a sensor device (32) for detecting the deflection of the sensing device, characterized in that the sensing device has several sensing elements (24) which are arranged independently of one another pivotably on a common axis (22) extending above the conveyor (10) transversely to the conveyor, and that the sensor device (32) is designed to measure the maximum deflections of the sensing elements (24).