Extendable Conveyor for Reliable Box Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional box moving devices that cause boxes to drop vertically often fail to deliver boxes to the intended position due to weight issues or interference from guide forces, leading to incomplete packing of articles.
Innovation Solution
A box moving device equipped with a conveyor that can alternate between contracted and extended states, allowing it to securely hold and move boxes along a vertical direction, ensuring reliable positioning by extending and contracting in the moving direction, and optionally using a flap guide for positional alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If boxes are caused to drop vertically to move them to the predetermined position, then the movement speed is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because boxes may stop midway before touching the stopper due to small weight or guide force interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static drop mechanism to a dynamic conveyor system that can extend and contract. The conveyor dynamically adjusts its length to match the box position, actively transporting boxes rather than passively relying on gravity. This dynamic approach ensures boxes are reliably moved to the predetermined position regardless of weight variations or guide forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the gravity-based mechanical drop system with a conveyor-based mechanical transport system. Instead of using gravitational force to move boxes vertically, the system uses a controllable conveyor with extension and contraction capabilities to actively transport boxes, providing more reliable and controllable positioning.
2Manufacturing precision
If the conveyor is extended to move boxes to the predetermined position, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for extension and contraction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system performs multiple functions: it transports boxes horizontally, extends to reach predetermined positions, contracts to save space, and can be controlled to stop at specific locations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each operation, thereby managing complexity while achieving high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor's ability to dynamically extend and contract allows it to adapt its length based on operational needs. This dynamic adjustment enables precise positioning without requiring permanently extended conveyor structures, optimizing both accuracy and space utilization while managing system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~3C
AI summary
It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable box moving device that moves a box to a predetermined position and inhibits the occurrence of the problem that the box does not reach the predetermined position. A box moving device (20) changes the position of a box (C) having four side surfaces (C11 to C14). The box moving device (20) is equipped with a conveyor (21, 22) and a movement control unit (23). The movement control unit (23) drives the conveyor (21, 22) to cause the box (C) to move from a first position to a second position. The conveyor (21, 22) can alternately switch between a first state, in which it is contracted along a moving direction of the box (C), and a second state, in which it is extended along the moving direction of the box (C). The movement control unit (23) causes the box (C) to move from the first position to the second position by driving the conveyor (21, 22) that is in a holding mode in which it holds at least one of the side surfaces of the box (C) and simultaneously switching the conveyor (21, 22) from the first state to the second state.