Egg Sorter Star-Wheel Transfer Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing egg sorters are not simple and reliable in transferring eggs in different directions based on measured physical magnitudes, such as weight, size, color, or shape, as they lack efficient mechanisms for directional control and transfer.
Innovation Solution
The egg sorter employs star-shaped wheels located at the end of the guide track, combined with a movable control valve, allowing eggs to be transferred in two different directions by guiding them to either wheel based on the control valve's status, enhancing user-friendliness and layout possibilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional transfer mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but the reliability of transferring eggs in different directions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve is made movable to dynamically switch between two positions, enabling the system to adaptively direct eggs to different star-shaped wheels based on real-time sorting requirements. This dynamic element allows reliable directional control without requiring completely separate transfer mechanisms for each direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The star-shaped wheels serve multiple functions: they both transfer eggs and provide directional routing. By positioning one wheel on each side of the guide track and using the control valve to direct eggs to either wheel, the system achieves reliable bidirectional transfer with a compact, multi-functional design that avoids excessive complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transfer levels are used, then directional control is achieved, but the layout possibilities and user-friendliness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Both star-shaped wheels are positioned at the same height level, creating an equipotential transfer system. This eliminates the need for eggs to be lifted or lowered during directional sorting, simplifying the layout and improving user-friendliness while maintaining full adaptability for directing eggs to either wheel based on sorting criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using vertical level changes to achieve directional control, the invention transitions to horizontal dimensionality by positioning star-shaped wheels side-by-side at the same level. The control valve directs eggs horizontally to either the left or right wheel, expanding layout possibilities and improving ease of operation simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
An egg sorter 1 comprises a feeding conveyor 3 via which the eggs are supplied and are transported through gates 5 to roller tracks. From the rollers 7 the eggs 9 are conveyed by a transport element 13 to load cells 12 and subsequently transported over a guide track 17. The load cells detect the weight of each egg. The control mechanism actuates a control slide 21 and a control valve 23 by which the eggs can be sent in two directions. In the top position of the control slide the eggs are transported over an inclined track portion 18 of the guide track towards the control valve. At the end of the control valve the eggs are taken over by star-shaped wheels 25 and 27 which deposit the eggs on feeding conveyors 29 and 31.