Suspended Conveyor Transfer via Meshing Rack Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail-guided suspended conveyor systems require significant spatial volume and floor area for transferring individual items due to restricted gradient angles, limiting their efficiency and flexibility in automated warehouses and logistics centers.
Innovation Solution
A system with transfer conveying devices featuring racks with tines that mesh to transfer individual piece-good units between conveying units, allowing for efficient transfer and reception without the need for extensive spatial adjustments, utilizing drive chains and actuators for precise alignment and movement control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If rail-guided suspended conveyor systems use traditional transfer methods with restricted gradient angles, then the system can maintain structural simplicity, but significant spatial volume and floor area are required for transferring individual items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal transfer methods to vertical transfer by implementing a carousel mechanism with racks that rotate in a vertical plane. This dimensional change allows items to be transferred between conveying units at different heights, eliminating the need for extensive horizontal floor space while maintaining efficient transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel mechanism introduces dynamic movement to the transfer system, allowing the racks to rotate and position items at optimal transfer points. This dynamic positioning enables flexible transfer operations without requiring fixed, space-consuming transfer stations, thereby improving transfer efficiency while reducing spatial requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conveying path is moved to a lower level for storage or processing, then items can be accessed for storage, removal, or processing, but significant floor area and spatial volume are required due to restricted gradient angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements vertical movement capability through the carousel mechanism, allowing conveying units to be transferred between different vertical levels. This enables storage and processing operations to occur at lower levels without requiring significant horizontal floor area, as the vertical dimension is utilized for level transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The carousel mechanism serves multiple functions: it transfers items between conveying units, enables vertical level transitions, and facilitates access for storage and processing operations. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve accessibility without proportionally increasing spatial volume.
3Productivity
If racks with tines are used to mesh and transfer individual piece-good units, then transfer efficiency improves and spatial requirements are reduced, but the system complexity increases due to alignment and movement control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that monitor the position and alignment of racks during carousel rotation. This feedback system automatically adjusts the timing and positioning of rack movements to ensure precise meshing and item transfer, managing the increased system complexity through intelligent control rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with controlled movement systems that use sensors and actuators to achieve precise positioning. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining high transfer efficiency through electronically controlled rack alignment and timing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for transferring units to/from a rail-guided suspended conveyor system includes a transfer conveying device with one or more first conveying units and a conveyor system with a plurality of second conveying units. The first and second conveying units each have a rack with tines and form a receptacle for bearing a unit. The system is configured such that in a transfer zone a rack of a first conveying unit of the transfer device and a rack of a second conveying unit of the conveyor system penetrate by meshing so with movement of the first and the second conveying unit relative to another either a unit initially on the rack of the first conveying unit remains on the rack of the second conveying unit, or a unit initially on the rack of the second conveying unit remains on the rack of the first conveying unit.