Extendable Item Transfer Device with Foldable Conveying Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for transferring luggage between containers and conveyor belts, such as those at airports, do not adequately reduce the risk of back injury for operators and lack the ability to reach different locations within the container efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An extendable item transfer device with a conveying structure comprising pivotally linked lamellae and rollers, allowing for gravity-assisted or operator-assisted movement of luggage between the container and conveyor belt, featuring a foldable design for easy storage and adjustable positioning to accommodate various container configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual transfer of luggage is used, then operators can transfer items between container and conveyor belt, but the risk of back injury increases and working conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transfer device as an intermediary tool between the container and conveyor belt. This device includes a support structure with a conveying surface that allows luggage to be placed and slid along rollers, eliminating the need for operators to manually lift and carry heavy items, thereby reducing back injury risk while improving working conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying surface with rollers is designed to enable self-service transfer of luggage. Operators simply place items on the conveying surface and use gravity to slide them along the rollers into the container or onto the conveyor belt, allowing the system to perform the transfer function with minimal physical effort from operators
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length transfer device is used, then the construction is simple, but the ability to reach different locations within the container is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is divided into modular segments: a support structure with adjustable positioning, a conveying surface composed of multiple rollers, and a foldable design. This segmentation allows the device to be configured in different lengths and positions to reach various locations within the container while maintaining relatively simple construction of each individual component
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the transfer device's location and orientation. The support structure can be positioned at different locations along the container, and the conveying surface can be adjusted to reach different depths, providing adaptability without requiring complex fixed structures for each possible position
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 device significantly reduces the risk of back injury by enabling efficient and ergonomic transfer of luggage across different locations within the container, improving working conditions and reducing manual strain on operators.
Implementation Method 1
The conveying structure includes rollers on the article supporting side, for facilitating relative movement of the items with respect to the frames between the two ends of the device
Implementation Method 2
from which end the luggage moves by gravity or by being pushed by an operator along the conveying structure to a second end of the device located at the conveyor belt
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
Disclosed is an item transfer device (10) that has a first end (A) and a second end (B) and includes a first frame (12) defining the first end (A) and a second frame (20) defining the second end (B). The second frame (20) is extractable or extendable from the first frame (12) to allow for an increase of the distance between the first end (A) and the second end (B). The device further includes an elongated conveying structure (30) that is configured to be foldable on itself, the conveying structure having an upwardly oriented article supporting side (31) for the items that are transferred between the two ends (A,B) of the device. The conveying structure (30) has a first end (I) and a second end (II) and is slidable in relation to the first frame (12). The first end (I) of the conveying structure (30) is connected to the second frame (20) and the first frame (12) is configured to receive the second end (II) of the conveying structure (30) and to store a back-folded portion (P) of the conveying structure (30) below the upwardly oriented article supporting side (31) at the first end (A) and to pay out the back-folded portion (P) of the conveying structure stored by the first frame (12) as the second frame (20) is extracted or extended from the first frame.