Glass Sheet Shuttle Transfer with Lifting Rollers for Crosswise Conveyors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems are limited in throughput and efficiency when transferring sheets, particularly when moving glass sheets between conveyor lines traveling in different directions, and require manual intervention or risk damaging the glass surface.
Innovation Solution
A shuttle system with lifting rollers that transition between retracted and elevated configurations to transfer glass sheets from a first conveyor line to a second conveyor line, allowing seamless transfer without manual intervention and maintaining productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated glass stacking systems are used to remove sheets from conveyor lines, then manual intervention is eliminated, but throughput potential is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A shuttle system acts as an intermediary device between the first conveyor line and second conveyor line. The shuttle includes lifting rollers that engage with the glass sheets and transfer them from one conveyor to another, enabling automated crosswise transfer without manual intervention while maintaining high throughput capability
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting rollers are configured to move between a retracted configuration (below the conveyor lines) and an elevated configuration (above the conveyor lines). This dynamic movement allows the shuttle to lift sheets off the first conveyor, transport them crosswise, and deposit them on the second conveyor, enabling continuous automated operation at high speeds
2Extent of automation
If existing automated systems transfer sheets between conveyor lines moving in different directions, then manual intervention is reduced, but the ability to keep sheets moving continuously is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle system serves as a mediating device that receives sheets from the first conveyor line, holds them temporarily in its lifting rollers, and transfers them to the second conveyor line. This intermediary function allows the system to bridge two conveyor lines moving in different directions while maintaining continuous flow and preventing bottlenecks
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting rollers are designed to maintain continuous engagement with the glass sheets during the transfer process. The shuttle moves the sheets horizontally while they remain supported on the lifting rollers, ensuring uninterrupted transfer and keeping the sheets in constant motion from the first conveyor through the shuttle to the second conveyor
3Extent of automation
If the top surface of glass sheets is touched by mechanical means such as suction cups, then automated handling is achieved, but the glass surface may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting rollers act as an intermediary contact mechanism that supports the glass sheets from below during transfer. By contacting only the bottom surface of the sheets, the system achieves automated handling while completely avoiding contact with the top surface, thus eliminating the risk of surface damage
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of contacting the top surface of the glass sheets (the conventional approach using suction cups), the system contacts the bottom surface using lifting rollers. This inverted approach maintains automated handling capability while eliminating surface damage risk to the top surface
Data Source
AI summary
A shuttle system for transferring glass sheets between multiple conveyor lines. At least two conveyor lines are located crosswise from one another and the shuttle system transfers at least one glass sheet from a first conveyor line to the second conveyor line while the first conveyor line remains operational. A top surface of the glass sheet remains untouched during the conveyance.