External Return Conveyor Layout for Compact Tray Heat Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat treatment apparatuses for manufactured articles are bulky, expensive, and occupy large spaces in industrial environments, necessitating a reduction in bulk and cost while maintaining efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat treatment apparatus with a longitudinal casing and convection tunnel furnace, featuring a first and second conveyor system with stackable trays, and multi-axis robots for tray movement between conveyors, positioned externally to minimize space and reduce overall dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional heat treatment apparatuses are used, then heat treatment function is provided, but the apparatus occupies large space and is bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The second conveyor is positioned externally to the outer side of the longitudinal casing, utilizing external space rather than internal space. This dimensional repositioning reduces the volume occupied by the apparatus while maintaining the heat treatment function, directly resolving the contradiction between compact size and operational capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional heat treatment apparatuses are used, then heat treatment is performed, but the apparatus is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The second conveyor is extracted from the internal structure and positioned externally to the longitudinal casing. This extraction allows the use of simpler, less expensive conveyor components outside the high-temperature furnace environment, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining heat treatment effectiveness through the first conveyor's reliable operation within the furnace.
3Volume of moving object
If the second conveyor is positioned internally within the casing, then space is utilized, but the apparatus bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second conveyor is relocated to an external position beside the longitudinal casing, utilizing the lateral dimension rather than internal longitudinal space. This dimensional change reduces the apparatus footprint while simplifying the conveyor arrangement, as the external position allows independent mounting and operation without complex internal integration.
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 apparatus achieves reduced bulk, lower cost, and efficient heat treatment by minimizing conveyor space requirements and using smaller, less expensive components, while ensuring consistent treatment of different article types.
Implementation Method 1
a convection tunnel furnace (3) positioned longitudinally within the casing (2)... the furnace (3) having an inlet end (11) and an outlet end (12) for stacks of said stackable trays (4)
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles, comprising a longitudinal casing (2), a convection tunnel furnace (3) positioned longitudinally within the casing (2), a plurality of stackable trays (4) where the articles can be housed, a first conveyor (5) configured to transport a single row of stacks of stackable trays (4) through the furnace (3) from a loading position (6) of the first conveyor to an unloading position (7) of the first conveyor (5); the casing (2) having at least one first longitudinal flank (8) comprising an inner side (9) to the furnace (3) and an outer side (10) to the furnace (3); the furnace (3) having an inlet end (11) and an outlet end (12) of the stacks of stackable trays (4); the apparatus (1) comprising a second conveyor (13) configured for the return transport of the stackable trays (4) from a loading position (14) of the second conveyor (13) to an unloading position (15) of the second conveyor (13) of the stacks of stackable trays (4) and means for moving (16) the stackable trays (4) for movement from the unloading position (15) of the second conveyor (13) to the loading position (6) of the first conveyor (5) and for movement from the unloading position (7) of the first conveyor (5) to the loading position (14) of the second conveyor (13); the second conveyor (13) is located externally to the outer side (10) of the longitudinal flank (8), facing the outer side (10) of the longitudinal flank (8), and the means for moving (16) are located in a position between the loading and unloading positions (6, 7, 14, 15) of the first and second conveyors (5, 13).