Conveyor System With Segmented Drive And Frictional Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Friction conveyors face challenges in implementing branches and congestion situations due to the limitations of disk-shaped transmission elements that engage in slot-shaped recesses on the underside of workpiece carriers, which prevent lateral displacement necessary for curves and junctions, and require costly and maintenance-intensive slip clutches for stopping and torque adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with freely rotatable support rollers and disk-shaped transmission elements that engage in slot-shaped recesses on the underside of workpiece carriers, allowing power transmission via frictional locking, and driven conveyor rollers that move workpiece carriers laterally in branching areas without slip clutches, using sensors to ensure only one carrier is present and providing a stopping device to prevent accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If disk-shaped transmission elements engage in slot-shaped recesses on the underside of workpiece carriers, then power transmission is improved, but lateral displacement necessary for curves and junctions is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission system is segmented into modular components: disk-shaped transmission elements that can be selectively positioned, slot-shaped recesses that accept these elements, and freely rotatable support rollers. This segmentation allows the workpiece carrier to have power transmission only where needed (where disks engage recesses) while maintaining freedom of movement elsewhere (on support rollers), enabling both curves and junctions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its power transmission characteristics based on operational needs. In straight sections, disk-shaped transmission elements engage with slot-shaped recesses to provide positive power transmission. In curve and junction areas, the workpiece carrier can be positioned on freely rotatable support rollers without engagement, allowing lateral displacement and directional changes. This dynamic switching between engaged and disengaged states enables both functions.
2Ease of operation
If slip clutches are used for stopping workpiece carriers, then stopping capability is improved, but maintenance requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slip clutch mechanism is completely extracted from the system. Instead of using slip clutches on driven rollers, the patent employs a different approach: workpiece carriers are stopped by accumulating them against physical stop elements (such as rods or barriers) positioned along the conveyor path. This extraction eliminates the complex, maintenance-intensive slip clutch mechanism while achieving the same stopping function through simpler, more reliable means.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopping system uses simple, inexpensive stop elements (rods, barriers, or fixed structures) that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than expensive slip clutches with multiple moving parts. These stop elements have no moving parts themselves, making them virtually maintenance-free compared to slip clutches that require regular adjustment and repair.
3Adaptability or versatility
If friction conveyors are used for moving workpiece carriers, then flexibility in curves and branches is improved, but accumulation requires slip clutches which are expensive and maintenance-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is segmented into different functional zones: straight sections with driven rollers for power transmission, curve sections with freely rotatable support rollers for lateral displacement, and junction areas with selective engagement capability. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function without requiring slip clutches anywhere in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical slip clutch system is replaced with a simpler accumulation mechanism based on workpiece carrier positioning and physical stopping elements. Workpiece carriers accumulate by being stopped against fixed barriers or by gravity in inclined sections, eliminating the need for complex mechanical slip clutch assemblies while maintaining the ability to control carrier flow and enable accumulation.
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
Enables simple implementation of branches and congestion management by allowing lateral movement of workpiece carriers in curves and junctions without slip clutches, reducing maintenance and operational costs, and ensuring continuous operation in these areas.
Implementation Method 1
The workpiece carriers are moved by the frictional forces that occur between the rollers, belts or plates and the friction surfaces of the workpiece carriers
Implementation Method 2
Force is thus transmitted via the drive elements within the slot-shaped recess on the underside of the workpiece carrier to the latter. It is particularly preferred that the power transmission does not take place by positive locking but by frictional locking
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The system has freely rotatable supporting rollers (16) supporting a bottom face of a workpiece carrier (30). Two disk-shaped transmission elements (26) are engaged into slot-shaped recesses (48) to transmit force. Conveyor rollers (18) are provided in a branch (86) such that the bottom face of the workpiece carrier rests on the conveyor rollers for transmission of force by friction. A deflector element (94) deflects the workpiece carrier at the branch, where the deflector element is pivotable in a horizontal direction. A stop part is moved into a conveyor path (88) of the workpiece carrier.