Extendable Conveyor Lighting for Cramped Loading Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
The environment around extendable conveyors used for loading and unloading goods is often cramped, hazardous, and uncomfortable, making it difficult to attract personnel and increasing the risk of injury due to inadequate illumination.
Innovation Solution
The integration of light sources, including LED lamps with reflectors and lens covers, positioned at the lower sides and fronts of extendable conveyor sections to provide comprehensive illumination, along with sensors to adjust lighting based on ambient conditions and personnel proximity, ensuring a safer and more comfortable working area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If light sources are integrated at lower sides and fronts of conveyor sections, then visibility and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (LED lamps with reflectors and lens covers) into an integrated lighting system positioned at the lower sides and fronts of conveyor sections. This merging approach provides comprehensive illumination of the working area while managing the complexity through unified design rather than separate lighting components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple light sources distributed across different conveyor sections, with each section having its own illumination units. This segmentation allows the lighting to be distributed throughout the working area, improving visibility at multiple locations simultaneously while enabling modular installation and maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are added to adjust lighting based on ambient conditions and personnel proximity, then working environment comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect ambient light conditions and personnel proximity, providing feedback to the lighting control system. This feedback mechanism allows the lighting to automatically adjust based on real-time environmental conditions and presence detection, enhancing worker comfort and safety while optimizing energy consumption through intelligent control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If comprehensive illumination is provided throughout the working area, then safety and visibility are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system transitions from static to dynamic operation through sensor-based control. Lights are activated or adjusted based on detected personnel proximity and ambient light conditions, ensuring comprehensive illumination is provided only when and where needed. This dynamic approach maintains high visibility for safety while reducing energy consumption during periods of low activity or sufficient ambient light.
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
The solution significantly improves the visibility of obstacles and labels, reduces the risk of injury, and enhances the working environment by providing adequate lighting, making the area safer and more comfortable for personnel.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source positioned at a lower side of the at least one mechanically extendable section to illuminate at least an area below the at least one mechanically extendable section
Implementation Method 2
LED lamps with reflectors and lens covers, positioned at the lower sides and fronts of extendable conveyor sections to provide comprehensive illumination
Data Source
AI summary
Extendable conveyors with lights are disclosed herein. An example extendable conveyor disclosed herein includes a base unit and a mechanically extendable section, which is adjustably positionable between a nested position within the base unit and an extended position telescoped forwardly from the base unit. The conveyor includes a conveying surface to convey articles extending at least partially on an upper side of the mechanically extendable section. A light source is positioned at a lower side of the mechanically extendable section to illuminate at least an area below the mechanically extendable section.