Self-clearing conveyor transfer plate with powered rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face challenges in transferring articles from a raised-rib belt to a transverse conveyor belt, as the space required for the discharge belt's path around sprockets prevents close proximity, leading to stranded articles due to the longer slide surface needed, and existing solutions like intermediate belts are not feasible in all layouts or require manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A transfer system with a cantilevered comb portion and a recessed rear portion featuring powered rollers that extend between the two conveyor belts, allowing articles to be smoothly transferred by rotating rollers that match the belt's surface, ensuring no articles are stranded by reducing the distance between the belts and eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dead plates with a long slide surface are used to transfer articles between conveyor belts, then articles can be pushed onto the receiving belt, but the distance between the conveyor belts must be large, causing straggling articles to be stranded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing the static dead plate with a dynamic roller mechanism. The rollers rotate to actively push articles onto the receiving conveyor belt, enabling the system to function effectively in a compact space where the distance between conveyors is less than the article footprint. This dynamic action ensures complete transfer of all articles including stragglers without requiring excessive space.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller mechanism serves as an intermediary between the two conveyor belts. Instead of relying on the long slide surface of a dead plate, the rollers mediate the transfer process by rotating and pushing articles across the gap. This intermediary mechanism enables effective transfer in space-constrained environments where direct belt-to-belt transfer is not feasible.
2Reliability
If an intermediate conveyor belt is installed to prevent stranding, then articles can be continuously transferred, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transfer function into the existing dead plate structure by integrating rollers directly onto the dead plate. This combination eliminates the need for a separate intermediate conveyor belt system, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the reliability of complete article transfer. The rollers are mounted on the dead plate itself, creating a unified structure that performs both support and propulsion functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dead plate with integrated rollers serves multiple functions: it provides structural support like a traditional dead plate, enables article propulsion through roller rotation, and ensures complete transfer of all articles including stragglers. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate intermediate conveyor systems, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining transfer reliability.
3Reliability
If manual intervention is used to push stranded articles, then transfer completeness can be achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller mechanism enables the dead plate to serve itself by automatically propelling all articles onto the receiving conveyor belt without requiring manual intervention. The rotating rollers actively push even straggling articles across the gap, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for operators to manually push stranded items, thereby maintaining high productivity while ensuring complete transfer.
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
The system ensures self-clearing transfer of articles by rotating rollers that push them onto the receiving conveyor belt, maintaining a smooth transfer process and preventing straggling, even in space-constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
A salient portion of each roller extends above the ridges... rotates the rollers about the roller axes... rollers push them onto the receiving conveyor belt
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A self - clearing conveyor transfer system for transferring articles between two mutually perpendicular conveyor belts (12, 16). One version of the transfer system includes a finger transfer plate with fingers (56) at one end extending into the end of a raised-rib belt (12) and powered rollers (62) at the opposite end rotating about axes perpendicular to the fingers. A second conveyor belt (16) perpendicular to the raised-rib belt advances parallel to the roller axes (64). Articles transfer from one belt to the other across the finger transfer plate. Because the rollers are powered, straggling articles are not stranded on the transfer plate.