Conveyor Path Inspection for Detection Alignment and Uptime

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveying devices experience jamming and loss of objects, leading to operational disruptions and requiring time-consuming manual maintenance, which poses safety risks and reduces system availability.

Innovation Solution

A conveying device with movable maintenance units equipped with sensors and actuators that monitor and perform maintenance tasks autonomously, allowing for real-time detection of issues and automated repairs, reducing downtime and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual maintenance is performed periodically, then the conveying device can be maintained and repaired, but the system requires shutdowns, time-consuming manual work, and poses safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance capabilityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying device performs its own maintenance through integrated maintenance units that automatically inspect, clean, and repair components during operation. Sensors detect issues and actuators execute repairs without human intervention, allowing the system to maintain itself while running, thus eliminating shutdowns and reducing downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The maintenance units continuously monitor the conveying path and detect potential issues before they cause failures. By performing preliminary inspections and preventive maintenance during operation, the system addresses problems early, preventing costly shutdowns and ensuring continuous reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual maintenance is performed, then repairs can be carried out, but occupational safety precautions must be observed and safety risks arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance capabilityVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs maintenance autonomously without human operators present in the conveying path. Maintenance units with integrated sensors and actuators execute all inspection and repair tasks automatically, completely eliminating occupational safety risks associated with manual maintenance while ensuring reliable maintenance capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the conveying system operates at higher speeds, then productivity increases, but problems are less time to be addressed and downtime impacts are magnified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying rateVSAvoiddowntime impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance units operate continuously alongside the conveying units, performing inspections and repairs without interrupting the high-speed conveying operation. This continuous maintenance capability ensures that even at higher conveying rates, the system can address problems immediately without magnified downtime impacts, maintaining both high productivity and system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4653350A1Method for operating a conveyor device including a maintenance device, conveyor device and use
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 DEUT POST AG
  • EP4653350A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4653350A1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP4653350A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a conveying device (2) for conveying objects (70), the conveying device (2) comprising a circulating conveying section (10) with one or more movable conveying devices (20) for supporting the objects (70), a detection device (19) fixedly installed on the conveying section (10) for detecting the conveying device (20) and/or an object (70), and a maintenance device (30) for detecting the conveying section (10), the method comprising moving the maintenance device (30) along the conveying section (10), detecting the conveying section (10) by means of the maintenance device (30) to obtain information about a top (12) and/or a bottom (14) of the conveying section (10), and comparing the obtained information with previously known information about the conveying section (10) to check the function and/or alignment of the detection device (19).The invention further relates to a conveying device (2) and a use.