Conveyor Roller Bearing Surface for Article Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional depalletizers require additional shafts and drive components due to staggered chains or varying speeds, leading to increased complexity and inefficiency in separating articles from a pallet layer.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with rollers extending through the belt, arranged to rotate in a direction perpendicular to belt travel, utilizing a bearing surface with varying acceleration zones across the width to propel articles at different distances, allowing for efficient article separation and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If staggered chains or chains operated at different speeds are used to separate articles, then article separation is achieved, but device complexity increases due to more shafts and drive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the article separation function into the single belt conveyor system by using rollers integrated into the belt structure. Instead of requiring separate staggered chains or multiple drive systems, the invention combines acceleration and separation functions into one unified conveyor assembly, thereby reducing the number of shafts and drive components while maintaining effective article separation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The rollers in the belt conveyor serve multiple functions: they provide the belt's structural support, enable the belt to move articles, and simultaneously accelerate articles for separation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drive components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the separation objective
2Ease of operation
If staggered chains or chains operated at different speeds are used to separate articles, then article separation is achieved, but the system becomes less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the acceleration and conveyance functions into a single integrated system, the patent eliminates the inefficiencies associated with coordinating multiple chains at different speeds. The unified roller-belt system provides smoother, more reliable article separation with fewer points of failure and reduced energy consumption compared to multiple independent drive systems
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 system effectively accelerates articles along the belt direction, reducing the need for additional components and improving the separation and alignment of articles from a pallet layer, enhancing operational efficiency and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
The rollers are arranged to rotate in a direction of rotation to accelerate articles conveyed atop the rollers in the direction of rotation. At least one bearing surface underlies the belt and provides tracks extending in the direction of belt travel along which the rollers roll as the belt advances.
Data Source
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AI summary
Conveyors and methods for operating conveyors to accelerate laterally adjacent conveyed articles over different distances. The conveyors (10) provide a conveying surface atop rollers (IG) in a conveyor belt (12). The belt rollers (16) ride on a bearing surface (30) underlying the belt (12) on a carryway. As the belt (12) advances, the rollers (16) riding on the bearing surface (30) rotate in a direction of rotation (15) to accelerate conveyed articles along the belt (12) in the direction of rotation (15). The bearing surface (30) is shaped so that its length (dl, d2) in the direction of belt travel varies across the width of the conveyor (10).