Conveyor Lifting Device Vertical Pallet Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems lack flexibility and efficiency, particularly when dealing with varying operation times at work stations, leading to bottlenecks and the need for extensive buffers or additional infrastructure to manage product flow.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device for conveyor systems that includes a linear actuator and a lift head, allowing pallets to be raised vertically above the conveyor track, enabling efficient passage of other pallets and simultaneous operation on raised pallets, with features like a spring shaft for automatic opening and closing, and compressed air for movement, enhancing safety and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all pallets stop at every work station in synchronous operation, then the system is easy to predict and control, but the system lacks flexibility and causes bottlenecks when operation times vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by lifting selected pallets off the main conveyor track using lifting devices. This allows the conveyor system to operate in multiple layers, enabling pallets to bypass work stations vertically while maintaining continuous horizontal flow, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and throughput
2Adaptability or versatility
If buffers are added between work stations to compensate for different operation times, then asynchronous operation is enabled, but the system requires extra space and infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the horizontal conveyor system with buffers and side conveyors, the patent uses vertical lifting to create overhead storage positions. This transforms the space requirement from horizontal expansion to vertical utilization, enabling asynchronous operation without increasing the system's footprint
3Productivity
If multiple work stations performing the same task are positioned close to each other, then through-flow time is balanced and bottlenecks are avoided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual parallel work stations by lifting pallets to different vertical levels. A single physical work station can process multiple pallets simultaneously at different heights, effectively balancing through-flow time without duplicating equipment or increasing system complexity
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 allows for flexible and efficient operation by enabling pallets to bypass work stations without disruption, improving system throughput and allowing concurrent processing, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and adaptability of the conveyor system.
Implementation Method 1
the lifting device comprises a linear actuator attached to a lift head, where said linear actuator is adapted to lift a pallet from a first, low position at the conveyor track to a second, raised position
Implementation Method 2
the lift head comprises a spring shaft that opens the lift head when the spring shaft bears on a hold surface
Data Source
AI summary
Lifting device (1) for a conveyer system, comprising a housing (2) and a lift head (14), where the lift head (14) is adapted to hold a pallet (5). The lifting device (1) comprises a linear actuator (10) attached to a lift (14), said linear actuator (109) is adapted to lift a pallet (5) from a first, low position at the conveyor track to a second, raised position that is substantially vertical above the first position. The application also refers to a conveyer system and a method for lifting objects.