Conveyor Positioning Device Eliminates Mechanical Play

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art apparatuses for processing operations on objects in conveyors often result in imprecise positioning due to mechanical degrees of freedom and play in movement systems, leading to defective or incorrectly performed processing operations, particularly with linear or planar motors.

Innovation Solution

A positioning device is introduced that corrects positioning inaccuracies by shifting and retaining the conveyor into a predetermined processing position, using a pair of members with an actuator to center the conveyor relative to the processing tool, eliminating play and ensuring precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a movement system with linear motors or planar motors is used to convey the object, then the conveying speed and flexibility are improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates due to mechanical degrees of freedom and play

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveying speedVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning function is segmented from the movement system. The movement system (linear/planar motor) handles conveying and rough positioning, while a separate positioning device (with actuator and contact members) handles fine positioning and elimination of mechanical play. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device acts as an intermediary between the movement system and the processing tool. It receives the conveyor from the movement system, corrects its position by eliminating mechanical play through contact members, and delivers it to the precise processing position. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by buffering the imprecisions from the high-speed movement system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the movement system operates continuously to maintain productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the positioning stability deteriorates due to mechanical play and degrees of freedom

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveproductivityVSAvoidpositioning stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device operates periodically - contact members engage with the conveyor body at specific intervals (when the conveyor reaches the processing station), eliminate mechanical play, and ensure precise positioning. This periodic intervention maintains positioning stability without interrupting the continuous operation of the movement system, thus preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device uses the kinetic energy and momentum of the moving conveyor itself to facilitate positioning. The contact members guide and center the conveyor body using its own motion, rather than requiring external forcing mechanisms, thereby maintaining stability during continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If the conveyor is positioned quickly by the movement system, then the cycle time is reduced and productivity improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to inertia and mechanical play

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle timeVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device performs preliminary positioning actions while the conveyor is still moving at high speed. The contact members engage and begin correcting position early in the deceleration phase, using the conveyor's own momentum to complete the positioning before the processing operation begins. This eliminates the need for slow, precise positioning during the main motion phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device anticipates and counteracts the effects of inertia and mechanical play before they cause positioning errors. By engaging contact members in advance during the deceleration phase, the system pre-compensates for the mechanical play and inertial effects that would otherwise result in positioning inaccuracies at the target position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4455026A1Apparatus for performing a processing operation on an object housed in a conveyor

Publication Date: 2024.10.30 G MONDINI SPA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for processing an object comprises a processing station (2), at least one conveyor (3) having a housing (30) for the object, a movement system for moving the conveyor (3) along a movement path (15) and for bringing it into a pause position in the processing station (2). A positioning device (4) is configured to act on the conveyor (3) in the pause position in order to position and/or retain the conveyor (3) in a processing position. The positioning device (4) comprises a first member (41) and a second member (42) which are configured to make contact on opposite sides with a body (31) of the conveyor (3). The positioning device (4) comprises an actuator (45) for shifting the first member (41) relative to the second member (42) when the positioning device (4) is switched from a non-operating condition to an operating condition, and vice versa.