Hanging Pocket Swivel Frame for Conveyor Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hanging bags designed for conveyor systems have complex opening mechanisms that complicate operation and require sophisticated means to open and close, limiting their simplicity and ease of use in hang-up conveyor devices.

Innovation Solution

A hanging bag with a simple swivel activation device featuring a ribbon-shaped element that applies tensile forces to the swivel frame, allowing the pocket side walls to fold and open, and a locking mechanism that uses gravity and external interference contours to manage the opening and closing process, enabling easy operation with minimal mechanical complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a complex opening mechanism is used in existing hanging bags, then the bag can be opened and closed, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of opening and closingVSAvoidmechanical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of opening and closing from complex mechanical mechanisms, using only a simple swivel frame that can rotate around a horizontal axis. The opening mechanism is reduced to basic elements: a swivel frame with pocket side walls that fold open, eliminating unnecessary mechanical complexity while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex mechanisms to actively open the bag, the patent inverts the approach by using gravity as the primary force. The swivel frame and pocket side walls are designed to automatically fold open under gravity when the hanging bag is suspended, requiring no active opening mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If simple means are used for the swivel activation device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the opening mechanism may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswivel activation complexityVSAvoidreliability of opening mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel activation device is designed to be self-activating through gravity. When the hanging bag is suspended from the carrier section, gravity automatically causes the swivel frame to rotate and the pocket side walls to fold open, eliminating the need for external activation mechanisms while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses gravity as a counterbalancing force to activate the swivel mechanism. The weight of the swivel frame and pocket side walls themselves provides the necessary force to rotate the frame open, creating a self-balancing system that is both simple and reliable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 solution provides a straightforward and efficient method to open and close the hanging bag, facilitating easy loading and unloading of items in conveyor systems, enhancing operational simplicity and reducing mechanical complexity while ensuring secure transport.

Implementation Method 1

it exerts tensile forces on the swivel frame, the latter disappear in the sense of folding the pocket side walls around the swivel axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTensile forces: Tension

Implementation Method 2

the focus of the swivel frame and all the travelable appendages lies below the swivel axis that the swivel frame always goes into the stable swivel position under gravity effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity effect: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3580153B1Hanging pocket as conveyed-goods container for transporting conveyed goods in a hanging conveyor device, and hanging conveyor device having such a hanging pocket
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 RSL LOGISTIK GMBH & CO
  • EP3580153B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3580153B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3580153B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a hanging pocket (1), comprising: a hanging frame (2), the hanging frame (2) having two edge sections (6) extending downward from an upper carrier section (4); a pivoting frame (8); a rotary joint arrangement (12, 12), which is arranged in the region of the edge sections (6) of the hanging frame (2), by means of which rotary joint arrangement the pivoting frame (8) is mounted on the hanging frame (2) for pivoting about a pivot axis (14); a first pocket side wall (32), which is provided on the pivoting frame (8) and which is encompassed by the pivoting frame; and a second pocket side wall (34), which is connected to the carrier section (4) and to the pivoting frame (8), the two pocket sides walls (32, 34) being able to be folded away from each other by pivoting of the pivoting frame (8), the base pivoting frame (8) having a stable pivoting position on the hanging frame (2), a pivoting actuation device by means of which the pivoting frame (8) can be moved out of the stable pivoting position thereof having a displacement element (30), which is displaced from a normal position when acted upon by an interference contour (40; 140).