Conveyor Speed Synchronization for Efficient Material Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transhipment centers face challenges in efficiently transferring conveyed goods from feed conveyors to removal conveyors due to differences in conveying speeds and complexities in transferring bulky or specially shaped items, leading to inefficiencies and unused conveying capacities.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize an acceleration device to synchronize the conveying speed of goods from the feed conveyor with the removal conveyor, forming clock-synchronous transfer pairings, and include a tilting mechanism to facilitate the transfer of goods into tilting trays, ensuring optimal utilization of conveying capacities and handling special transfer cases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the feed conveyor and removal conveyor operate at different conveying speeds, then each conveyor can be optimized for its specific function, but the transfer process becomes complex and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying capacity utilizationVSAvoidtransfer process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the feed conveyor's conveying speed variable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adjusts the feed conveyor's speed to match the removal conveyor's speed, enabling efficient transfer while maintaining functional optimization of both conveyors. This resolves the contradiction by allowing speed adaptation during transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the speed parameter of the feed conveyor dynamically. The control device monitors and adjusts the feed conveyor's conveying speed to synchronize with the removal conveyor, transforming the static speed parameter into a dynamic one that adapts to transfer requirements, thereby simplifying the transfer process while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conveyed goods are manually fed from transport containers, then special properties of goods can be handled, but processing speed decreases and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling capability for special goodsVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the feed conveyor to automatically pick up conveyed goods from transport containers and feed them onto the removal conveyor without manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically detecting and transferring goods, maintaining the ability to handle special properties while dramatically increasing processing speed and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If conveying containers are not completely filled, then transfer flexibility is maintained, but conveying capacity is underutilized and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying capacity utilizationVSAvoidtransfer flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by implementing a control device that monitors the filling status of conveying containers and adjusts the transfer process accordingly. The system receives feedback about container fill levels and dynamically optimizes the transfer of conveyed goods to maximize capacity utilization while maintaining necessary transfer flexibility through controlled adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3676205B1Method and device for transferring transported materials between two conveyor devices, and conveyor system
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 WRH WALTER REIST HLDG
  • EP3676205B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3676205B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3676205B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for transferring transported materials from at least one infeed conveyor (1) to an outfeed conveyor (31) in a transfer region (5), wherein the at least one infeed conveyor (1) comprises a conveyor element (101), driven along an infeed route, for conveying transported goods into the transfer region (5), and the outfeed conveyor (31) contains conveyor containers (62), movable along a transfer conveyor route, for receiving the transported materials delivered by the at least one infeed conveyor (1). The transported materials lying on the conveyor element (101) are accelerated relative to the conveyor element (101) along the infeed route to the transfer region (5) by an acceleration device and moved into a clock-synchronized parallel conveyance together with a conveyor container (62) of the outfeed conveyor (61) in order to deliver the transported materials.