Height-Adjustable Chain Conveyor with Rotating Guide Rail Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chain conveyors are ergonomically challenging for users of different heights and lack the ability to adjust height during operation, leading to muscle strain and inefficiencies in handling workpieces of varying sizes, and they cannot interrupt the circulation of workpieces without risking damage.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable chain conveyor system with C-shaped guide rail elements and sub-segments that can rotate and longitudinally displace, allowing dynamic height adjustment and ensuring the conveyor chain remains securely guided, enabling ergonomic loading and unloading and accommodating different user heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the chain conveyor operates at a fixed height, then the structure is simple and stable, but it causes muscle strain for users of different heights and prevents ergonomic loading/unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is designed with height-adjustable sections that can be dynamically repositioned during operation. The guide rail comprises multiple guide rail elements that can be individually adjusted to different heights, allowing the conveyor chain to operate at variable heights without requiring complete system shutdown or complex reconstruction of the entire conveyor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail is divided into multiple independent guide rail elements that can be individually adjusted. Each guide rail element can be positioned at different heights relative to the floor area, allowing selective height adjustment of specific sections while maintaining the overall structural integrity and simplicity of the conveyor system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the chain conveyor height is adjusted during operation, then ergonomic handling is improved, but the guide chain may become unguided or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable during conveyor operation. The height adjustment mechanism allows guide rail elements to be repositioned while the conveyor chain continues to circulate, ensuring that the chain remains properly guided throughout the adjustment process without risk of damage or misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous operation with variable height parameters. The guide rail elements can be adjusted to different vertical positions while maintaining proper chain guidance, allowing the conveyor to adapt to different workpiece sizes and user heights without compromising chain stability or requiring interruption of circulation.
3Ease of operation
If the conveyor chain is interrupted for height adjustment, then ergonomic positioning is achieved, but productivity and continuous processing are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment mechanism is designed to operate during continuous conveyor circulation. Guide rail elements can be repositioned vertically while the conveyor chain continues to move and transport workpieces, eliminating the need to interrupt production or halt the drying/processing operations in progress.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by allowing height adjustments without interrupting the conveyor chain circulation. Workpieces continue to be transported through processing stations, and the guide rail adjustments occur in a manner that does not disrupt the ongoing productive operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a U-shaped section is used for length compensation during height adjustment, then height variability is achieved, but the device occupies large area and loses compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is segmented into multiple adjustable elements that can be independently positioned at different heights. This segmentation allows vertical height adjustment without requiring horizontal space for U-shaped compensation sections, maintaining compact footprint while achieving the desired height variability for different workpiece sizes and user ergonomics.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a chain conveyor for transporting workpieces to or from at least one machine for processing these workpieces, comprising an endlessly circulating transport chain or traction chain spaced at a first distance from the floor area, the chain links of which have rollers, with at least one drive device, and with a chain guide comprising a guide rail arranged at least along a section of the circulating path of the transport chain, which includes at least two guide rail elements that are in operative connection with or can be brought into operative contact with the rollers of the chain links, and wherein at least one of the chain links comprises or can comprise at least one fastening device and/or feed device for transporting at least one workpiece or transport carriage.