Conveyor Sensor Arrangement for Non-Straight Product Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face challenges in accurately detecting the leading edge of products with non-straight edges, such as round or angled leading edges, leading to improper handling and reduced efficiency due to inaccurate detection.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor sensor arrangement featuring a plurality of pivotally arranged fingers above the conveyor, with each finger having a first end that contacts the product and a second end that triggers a single sensor, ensuring reliable position detection regardless of the product's shape or size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to detect the leading edge of products, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates for products with non-straight leading edges
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented across multiple fingers (at least two fingers spaced apart), where each finger can independently contact different portions of the product's leading edge. This segmentation allows the system to handle various leading edge shapes while using a single sensor, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If downward and upward facing sensors are used to detect round products, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fingers are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the shape of the product's leading edge. This dynamic adjustment capability enables accurate detection of round products without requiring multiple fixed sensors in different positions, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining simpler device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor sensor arrangement is disclosed. The conveyor sensor arrangement includes a conveyor configured to move a product from a first conveyor end to a second conveyor end in a conveying direction. A plurality of fingers are pivotally arranged on a support that is positioned above the conveyor and that is arranged perpendicular to the conveying direction. Each finger of the plurality of fingers includes a first finger end and a second finger end, and the first finger end extends toward a surface of the conveyor. A single sensor is arranged above the conveyor. Contact between a leading edge of a product moving along the conveyor and at least one of the first finger ends causes a corresponding one of the second finger ends to trigger the sensor.