Conveyor Suction Device for Selective Article Reorientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems struggle to selectively turn over transport target articles of varying sizes and thicknesses for efficient conveyance, as existing solutions often fail to adapt to different dimensions and orientations.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system incorporating a suction device with multiple suction units and a moving device that can rotate and reorient the suction device to securely grasp and turn over articles, using a control device to manage the suction and movement for precise orientation changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional conveyor system is used to transport articles of varying sizes and thicknesses, then the system can maintain simple structure and operation, but it fails to selectively turn over articles based on their orientation needs
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can suction articles of various sizes and thicknesses, rotate them to different orientations, and release them at appropriate positions. This multi-functional design allows a single device to handle diverse article types without requiring separate mechanisms for each function, thereby improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device incorporates rotational capability that allows it to dynamically adjust its orientation relative to the conveyed articles. By rotating the suction device to different angles, the system can selectively turn over articles based on their specific orientation needs, enabling adaptive handling of varying article dimensions and required orientations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the suction device rotates to turn over articles, then articles can be reoriented correctly, but thin articles may bend or deform during the rotation process
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device establishes proper suction contact with the article before initiating rotation. By securing the article in the correct position and orientation first, then performing the rotation, the system ensures that thin articles are properly supported throughout the turning process, preventing bending or deformation while achieving the desired reorientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the rotation speed and angle parameters to match the specific article being handled. By adjusting these parameters based on article thickness and rigidity, the system can rotate thin articles without causing excessive stress or deformation, while still achieving accurate orientation placement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple suction units are used to handle articles of different sizes, then the system can accommodate various article dimensions, but the positioning and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is divided into multiple independent suction units that can be selectively activated. Each suction unit can be independently controlled to engage with specific portions of an article, allowing the system to adapt to various article sizes and shapes by activating only the necessary units, thereby managing complexity through modular control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different suction units are positioned at different locations on the suction device to correspond with different regions of articles. This local arrangement allows each suction unit to be optimized for specific article zones, enabling the system to handle diverse article dimensions effectively while maintaining manageable control complexity through localized functionality.
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 the selective turning over and conveyance of articles regardless of size and thickness, ensuring stable and efficient transfer by maintaining orientation and preventing bending or interference with the conveyor surface.
Implementation Method 1
suction units, each having an opening, suction the transport target article by negative pressure through the openings
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a conveyor system and a conveying method that allow a transport target article to be selectively turned over for conveyance regardless of the size and thickness of the transport target article. According to the present embodiment, a conveyor system includes a suction device, a moving device, and a control device. The suction device includes a plurality of suction units, each suction unit having an opening and configured to suction a flat transport target article elongated in one direction by negative pressure through the opening. The moving device configured to move the suction device. The moving device includes a turning-over section configured to rotate the suction device about an axis in an approximately horizontal direction. The control device configured to control the suction device and the moving device. When the control device determines that a front side and back side of the transport target article needs to be turned over, the control device controls the moving device and the suction device to suction the transport target article so that an approximate center of the opening of at least one suction unit among the plurality of suction units is located on a first imaginary line, and remaining suction unit is located on one end side in a longitudinal direction of the transport target article with respect to the first imaginary line, the first imaginary line being an imaginary line running through an approximate center between both ends in a longitudinal direction of an upper surface of the transport target article and approximately parallel to a shorter direction of the upper surface of the transport target article; controls the turning-over section to be in a front-back reversing orientation in which: the remaining suction unit is positioned above the first imaginary line along a gravity direction; another end opposite to one end side of the transport target article in the longitudinal direction suctioned by the remaining suction units is located below the first imaginary line along the gravity direction; and the transport target article is inclined with respect to the gravity direction, and performs control so that suction of the transport target article by the suction units is released after the suction device is in the front-back reversing orientation.