Overhead Conveyor Holding Unit for Adapter Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead conveyor systems face challenges in accumulating suspended conveyed goods without collisions, leading to increased dynamic pressure on leading adapters, which can result in damage or destruction, and require additional stopping members that increase investment and reduce storage space.
Innovation Solution
An overhead conveyor apparatus featuring a conveyor rail, movable overhead adapters, a stopping member, and a holding unit that holds multiple overhead adapters upstream of the stopping member, thereby reducing dynamic pressure and preventing collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If stopping members are regularly arranged along the conveyor rail to limit maximum number of bags, then dynamic pressure on overhead adapters is reduced, but storage space remains unused and investment is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the function of multiple stopping members into a single holding unit that can simultaneously hold multiple overhead adapters. This merging approach reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the pressure-limiting function, directly resolving the contradiction between reducing dynamic pressure and avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The holding unit is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs the stopping function and the holding function for multiple overhead adapters. This universal design eliminates the need for separate stopping members, reducing both investment costs and storage space requirements while maintaining pressure control
2Stress or pressure
If stopping members are arranged to limit accumulation of overhead adapters, then dynamic pressure is controlled, but storage space in the overhead conveyor apparatus remains unused
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit merges the stopping and holding functions into a single integrated component, allowing multiple overhead adapters to be held simultaneously in a compact arrangement. This eliminates wasted space between multiple stopping members and optimizes storage space utilization while maintaining pressure control
3Productivity
If multiple overhead adapters are accumulated upstream of stopping member, then accumulation of goods is enabled, but dynamic pressure on leading adapters increases causing damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The holding unit performs preliminary action by proactively holding multiple overhead adapters in their positions before excessive dynamic pressure can develop. This preventive approach allows goods accumulation to proceed while maintaining adapter spacing and preventing the damage risk associated with uncontrolled accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The holding unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the stopping member and the accumulated overhead adapters. It mediates the force transmission, distributing the stopping force across multiple adapters simultaneously rather than allowing pressure to concentrate on leading adapters, thus enabling safe accumulation
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead conveyor apparatus includes a conveyor rail defining a conveying direction. A plurality of overhead adapters are movable via the conveyor rail in the conveying direction. A stopping member is arranged on the conveyor rail for stopping at least one overhead adapter of the plurality of overhead adapters. A holding unit is arranged upstream of the stopping member for holding at least one overhead adapter of the plurality of overhead adapters.