Extensible Roller Conveyor for Ceramic Tile Format Adaptation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller conveying devices in the ceramic industry face challenges with manual adjustment of rollers for format changes, requiring complex and time-consuming mechanical operations, and often lack sufficient space for maintenance, leading to high costs and damage to fragile unfired tiles.

Innovation Solution

A roller conveying device with an actuator system that simultaneously moves multiple rollers and a roller conveyor in parallel to adapt to format changes, using chains or belts to transmit motion, allowing automatic length adjustment and reducing manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manually removable rollers are used to adapt to format changes, then the conveying device can be adjusted to different tile formats, but the adjustment process becomes extremely time-consuming and mechanically complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to format changesVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static manually-adjustable rollers with a dynamic extensible conveying section that can automatically change its length. The extensible section includes multiple rollers mounted on movable carriers that can be extended or retracted along the conveying path, allowing the system to adapt to different tile formats through automated length adjustment rather than manual roller repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system with an automated extension mechanism. Instead of workers manually adding or removing rollers, the system uses motorized or mechanically actuated extension devices that automatically position rollers along the conveying path, substituting complex manual mechanical operations with a more efficient automated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manually removable rollers are used to adapt to format changes, then the conveying device can be adjusted to different tile formats, but the mechanical complexity and cost increase due to many hindrances and protections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation to format changesVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static manually-adjustable rollers with a dynamic extensible conveying section that can automatically change its length. The extensible section includes multiple rollers mounted on movable carriers that can be extended or retracted along the conveying path, allowing the system to adapt to different tile formats through automated length adjustment rather than manual roller repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the roller conveying device is moved to adapt to press mould format changes, then adequate support can be provided close to the mould, but very large spaces are required for the movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetile support adequacyVSAvoidspace required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static manually-adjustable rollers with a dynamic extensible conveying section that can automatically change its length. The extensible section includes multiple rollers mounted on movable carriers that can be extended or retracted along the conveying path, allowing the system to adapt to different tile formats through automated length adjustment rather than manual roller repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of repair

If complex and expensive systems are used to free space for maintenance operations, then both ordinary and extraordinary maintenance can be carried out easily, but the construction and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static manually-adjustable rollers with a dynamic extensible conveying section that can automatically change its length. The extensible section includes multiple rollers mounted on movable carriers that can be extended or retracted along the conveying path, allowing the system to adapt to different tile formats through automated length adjustment rather than manual roller repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Facilitates quick and cost-effective adaptation to format changes, reduces mechanical complexity, and minimizes tile damage by maintaining consistent roller spacing, while providing space for maintenance without large-scale movements.

Implementation Method 1

using chains or belts to transmit motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical motion transmission: Chain

Data Source

PatentEP3817995B1Extensible roller conveying device

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 SACMI TECH SPA

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AI summary

An extensible roller conveying device having a roller conveyor provided with a plurality of rollers configured to convey articles through a conveying path, in particular with a variable length, and an extension device provided with further rollers. The extensible roller conveying device also has at least a first actuator system which moves the rollers of the extension device so as to increase the length of the conveying device by adding, downstream or upstream of the roller conveyor, one or more rollers of the extension device along the conveying path.