Crosswise Offset Roller Carrier for Stable High-Speed Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller-guided conveyor elements in overhead conveyor systems are unstable and unsuitable for conveying heavy objects due to insufficient support, leading to oscillation and wobbling during rapid accelerations, and are not designed for safe operation at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

The conveyor element features crosswise and offset rollers on both sides of the base body, with at least four rollers arranged in an 'X' configuration, providing additional contact points and stability through a form-fitting connection with adjacent elements, allowing for secure guidance and load distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional roller-guided conveyor elements are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the guidance is unstable and oscillation occurs during rapid accelerations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance stabilityVSAvoidroller arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two contact points at the same height to four contact points distributed in a crosswise offset arrangement, adding spatial dimensionality to the roller configuration. This dimensional change provides stable guidance in both vertical and lateral directions, preventing oscillation during rapid accelerations while maintaining manageable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor element is divided into multiple roller units arranged in a crosswise offset pattern, with each roller providing independent contact support. This segmentation of the support function into discrete roller elements allows each roller to independently stabilize the guide profile contact, eliminating the oscillation problem while keeping the overall structure modular and manufacturable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional conveying elements with two contact points are used, then the device complexity is low, but the inertial forces of heavy conveyed goods during acceleration cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe operation at high speedsVSAvoidnumber of rollers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent increases from two to four contact points by arranging rollers in a crosswise offset configuration across different heights and lateral positions. This dimensional expansion provides sufficient contact points to control the inertial forces of heavy conveyed goods during acceleration, enabling reliable high-speed operation while maintaining a relatively simple four-roller structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The crosswise offset roller arrangement is pre-configured to provide optimal contact points with the guide profile before acceleration occurs. This preliminary geometric arrangement ensures that during rapid accelerations, the inertial forces are already countered by the distributed roller support, enabling safe high-speed operation without requiring complex active control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional conveying elements are used, then the structure is simple, but oscillation and wobble occur during rapid accelerations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying element stabilityVSAvoidroller configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds spatial dimensionality to the roller arrangement by positioning four rollers in a crosswise offset pattern at different heights and lateral positions, rather than two rollers at the same height. This dimensional expansion creates a stable geometric configuration that prevents oscillation and wobble during rapid accelerations while maintaining a relatively simple four-roller structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the four rollers in a crosswise offset arrangement, with rollers located at different heights and lateral positions relative to the base body. This asymmetric configuration optimizes contact with the guide profile to prevent oscillation during acceleration, while the modular asymmetric design remains straightforward to manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This design stabilizes the conveyor elements, enabling the safe and quiet conveyance of heavy loads up to 10 kg, even at high speeds, and allows for compact storage and efficient movement within the system.

Implementation Method 1

a section of the conveyor element with at least one roller each on the two sides of the base body is movable in a rolling manner in the guide channel of a longitudinal guide body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3181493B1Roller-guided load carrier and conveyor system comprising such load carriers
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 FERAG AG
  • EP3181493B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3181493B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3181493B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a roller-guided conveying element (1) for a conveying system, comprising a base body (2), several rollers (3a-3d) rotatably mounted on two opposite sides of the base body (2), and a holding element (4) arranged on the base body (2) for holding an object to be conveyed. Two rollers (3a-3d) are arranged crosswise and oppositely offset on each of the two sides of the base body (2). The conveying element (1) with the rollers (3a-3d) is designed such that a section of the conveying element (1), with at least one roller (3a-3d) on each side, can be moved by rolling motion from both sides of the base body (2) in the guide channel of a longitudinal guide body.