Extendible Conveyor With Moveable Roller String
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyors face issues such as reliance on gravity, abrupt vertical steps, weight, noise, and complex construction, making them unsuitable for many applications, particularly when needing adjustable lengths.
Innovation Solution
An extendible conveyor apparatus with a moveable frame and a string of rollers that can be fed into or out of position, allowing for an adjustable-length bed of rollers without abrupt vertical steps, using a motor-driven mechanism and flexible side rails for smooth length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-length conveyor sections are used to achieve adjustable length, then the conveyor can be lengthened or shortened, but abrupt vertical steps occur between overlapping sections
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is divided into a stationary frame with fixed rollers and a movable string of rollers that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the conveyor length to be adjusted by changing the number of rollers on the movable string without creating vertical steps, as the rollers are arranged in a continuous flexible sequence rather than overlapping fixed sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system transitions from static fixed-length sections to a dynamic configuration where the number of rollers can be changed by moving the string of rollers into or out of position. This dynamic adjustment maintains a flat roller bed surface while achieving variable length, eliminating the need for abrupt overlaps inherent in static multi-section designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If scissor-boom-like side rails are used for extendible conveyors, then the conveyor can be extended, but roller spacing changes when moved between retracted and extended positions
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible side rails are designed with different characteristics at different locations: the portion supporting the movable string of rollers allows for variable spacing to accommodate string retraction/extension, while the portion supporting the stationary frame maintains fixed spacing. This localized differentiation enables length adjustment without compromising roller spacing consistency where it matters for load support.
Solution Approach 2:
The side rail structure is segmented into a fixed portion attached to the stationary frame and a flexible portion that moves with the string of rollers. This segmentation allows the flexible side rail portion to change its effective length and spacing characteristics independently, enabling smooth extension without affecting the spacing consistency of the roller bed.
3Device complexity
If gravity conveyors are used, then the structure is simple, but they rely on gravity to move parcels and don't work when level or inclined upwardly
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system uses motor-driven rollers to actively propel parcels along the belt, eliminating dependence on gravity. The motor-driven mechanism provides self-propelled motion that works effectively on level surfaces and inclined planes, giving the simple structural design operational flexibility across different orientations while maintaining ease of construction.
Data Source
AI summary
An extendible conveyor apparatus includes a first end, a second end, and an adjustable-length bed of rollers extending in between them. A sliding frame (or extension) mounted moveably on a support structure supports a fixed number of the rollers, while a moveable string of rollers connected to a second end of the frame feeds additional rollers into and out of position between the second end of the conveyor apparatus and the frame according to frame movement between retracted and extended positions of the frame. In one embodiment, the bed of rollers includes at least some motor-driven rollers (MDRs) and the string of rollers withdraws to a position below the bed using an extend/retract drive mechanism having a drive chain disposed in a loop, the frame being connected to an upper side of the loop for frame-moving purposes and the string of rollers being connected to a lower side of the loop for string withdrawal purposes.