Deflection Device for Gentle Heavy Goods Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor systems in transshipment centers face challenges in efficiently and gently transferring heavy goods to sorters due to high inertia forces and friction, which complicates the clock-synchronous transfer process without damaging the goods.

Innovation Solution

A transfer device with a support surface and deflection mechanism, including sliding bodies and rotating rollers, facilitates the gentle and precise transfer of heavy goods by minimizing sliding friction and allowing for clock-synchronous movement across multiple conveying cycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavy goods are transferred using conventional conveyor systems, then the goods can be moved from one location to another, but high frictional forces and inertial forces cause difficulty in movement and potential damage to the goods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegentle handling of goodsVSAvoidtransfer speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer process is divided into multiple phases: acceleration phase, constant speed phase, and deceleration phase. The deflection device is segmented into multiple deflection elements that can independently control the goods at different stages of the transfer process, allowing gentle acceleration and deceleration while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection device dynamically adjusts its deflection angle and position during the transfer process. The deflection elements can change their angle of action based on the goods' position and speed, providing adaptive control that reduces frictional forces while maintaining transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the transfer device moves heavy goods quickly to maintain conveyor speed, then productivity is maintained, but the high inertial forces can damage the goods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyor speedVSAvoidinertial forces
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection device initiates the transverse movement of goods before the main conveyor comes to a complete stop. This preliminary action allows the goods to be gradually accelerated in the transverse direction while the conveyor is still moving forward, reducing the impact of inertial forces and preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection elements act periodically on the goods during the transfer process, applying small incremental forces rather than a single large force. This periodic action reduces peak inertial forces while achieving the same overall transfer effect, maintaining both productivity and gentle handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Speed

If the deflection device applies strong forces to move heavy goods transversely, then the transfer is faster and more efficient, but the frictional forces increase and can damage the goods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransverse movement speedVSAvoidfrictional forces
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different deflection elements have different deflection angles and characteristics optimized for their specific position in the transfer process. Elements at the beginning of the transfer path have smaller deflection angles to reduce initial friction, while elements later in the process have larger angles to increase transverse speed, creating a gradient that minimizes frictional forces throughout the journey.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection device changes key parameters during the transfer process: the deflection angle increases progressively, the contact force is modulated, and the active length of the deflection elements varies. These parameter changes allow the system to achieve high transverse movement speed while keeping frictional forces within safe limits for the goods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables the efficient and gentle transfer of heavy goods to sorters, reducing friction and energy consumption while maintaining the speed of the conveyor system, ensuring accurate positioning and reducing the risk of damage.

Implementation Method 1

High frictional forces make it difficult to move the conveyed goods across the support surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSliding friction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

A plurality of separating strips extending in the conveying direction and spaced apart from one another are arranged on the conveying element, dividing the conveying surface into conveying compartments for the conveyed goods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The high frictional forces make it difficult to move the conveyed goods across the support surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4393853A1Device for transferring individual goods to a further conveying device, a conveying system and a transferring method
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 FERAG AG
  • EP4393853A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4393853A1 patent drawingFigure 1d
  • EP4393853A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1.3) for transferring individual conveyed goods (2), in particular lying goods, to a conveying device (50.1), in particular to a sorter, comprising a transfer conveying device (10.1) with a support surface (3) for the conveyed goods (2) for conveying the conveyed goods (2) lying down in a conveying direction (F1) and a deflection device (5.2) for deflecting, and in particular for moving the conveyed goods (2) transversely to the conveying direction (F1) onto a support surface (53) of the conveying device (50.1).