Conveyor Side Guide Adjustment via Cable Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems with adjustable side guides face challenges in achieving quick and accurate adjustments without clamping articles, particularly when handling articles of different sizes or shapes, as manual systems are time-consuming and automatic systems can be complex and require physical effort to adjust multiple sections.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanically driven system using a 'T'-shaped compensator and flexible cables to quickly adjust side guides, where a bar connected to a pin and a flexible strand connects multiple devices along the conveyor, allowing for simultaneous adjustment of multiple sections with minimal operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual adjustment systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the adjustment speed is slow and requires operators to physically walk along each segment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple adjustment operations into a single centralized control point. The bar 10 connects multiple adjustment devices 5 along the conveyor, allowing one operator to adjust all side guides 3 simultaneously from one location, eliminating the need to walk along each segment while maintaining mechanical simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible strand 13 acts as an intermediary that transmits adjustment forces from the handling means 11, 12 to multiple adjustment devices 5 distributed along the conveyor. This allows centralized control to be transmitted to multiple points without requiring the operator to physically access each location
2Measurement precision
If threaded rods are used for adjustment, then the adjustment can be precise, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex threaded rod mechanism from the overall system and replaces it with a simpler flexible strand 13 connection system. The handling means 11, 12 provide the adjustment force directly through the flexible strand to the adjustment devices, eliminating the need for threaded rods while maintaining adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible strand 13 instead of rigid mechanical linkages like threaded rods. This flexible element transmits adjustment forces along the conveyor to multiple side guides while reducing system complexity and improving ease of installation and adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment systems are distributed along the line, then each section can be adjusted independently, but the adjustment process requires physical effort to reach each segment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple distributed adjustment operations into a single centralized location. The bar 10 and flexible strand 13 system allows one operator to control all adjustment devices 5 along the conveyor from one handling point, eliminating the need to physically reach each segment while maintaining the ability to adjust each section independently
Data Source
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AI summary
A compensator system for adjusting facing side guides of one or more conveyors which can be quickly adapted to receive containers of different sizes. The system comprises one or more devices (5) driven by a single cable, located at one side of the conveyor (2), formed by one or more stiff cables (10) and/or by one or more flexible cables (13) integral to each other and linearly displaced by means (11) and (12) connected to the ends (14) and (15); said means are an actuator (11) for pushing or pulling the cable, also connected to a position transducer in order to track the imparted displacement, and an air cylinder (13) has mainly the function to keep taut the one or more flexible cables (13) possibly present and arranged along the curvilinear segments of the conveyor (2).