Lattice Roller Transfer Device Height Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer devices in conveyor lines require bulky driving mechanisms to lift heavy articles, leading to increased height and space requirements, causing discomfort for workers and potential hazards in assembly lines and warehouses.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a latticework arrangement of rollers and a lifting part that uses rectilinearly-movable members and converting members to lift the rollers, eliminating the need for a power source below the conveying part and reducing the overall height, allowing for efficient and stable conveyance of heavy articles without obstructing other rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large motor or pneumatic/hydraulic actuator is used to lift heavy articles, then the lifting capability is sufficient, but the height of the transfer device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying part is divided into multiple roller groups arranged in a lattice pattern, with each roller independently liftable. This segmentation allows the lifting mechanism to act on individual rollers rather than requiring a large actuator to lift the entire conveying surface, thereby reducing the height requirement while maintaining lifting capability for heavy articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a planar conveying surface to a three-dimensional lattice structure of rollers. By arranging rollers in multiple rows and columns that can be independently positioned at different heights, the system achieves lifting capability without requiring a single large vertical displacement mechanism, thus reducing overall device height.
2Adaptability or versatility
If belts are used to lift articles above the conveying surface, then articles can be transferred to another conveyor line, but the drive power required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a continuous belt to lift the entire article, the invention uses discrete rollers arranged in a lattice pattern. Each roller can be independently lifted to support articles at different positions, reducing the total drive power needed compared to lifting the entire article with a single belt system.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller groups are designed to be dynamically liftable, allowing the system to adapt to different article weights and positions. By selectively lifting only the necessary rollers rather than the entire conveying surface, the system reduces energy consumption while maintaining transfer capability.
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 reduces the total height of the transfer device and conveyor line, enhancing worker safety and efficiency by minimizing space requirements and enabling smooth conveyance of heavy articles without the need for large drive power, thus alleviating worker discomfort and hazards.
Implementation Method 1
converting members arranged at the respective lattice points, the converting members each being configured to convert the rectilinear motion of the rectilinearly-movable member to a rotational motion and to convert the rotational motion to a lifting motion
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device is configured by a conveying part and a lifting part both fixed to a casing. The conveying part forms a latticework by two groups of rollers aligned in a first direction and a second direction in matrix and includes chains for rotating the group of rollers aligned in the first direction and the group of rollers aligned in the second direction per group and driving devices for conveyance. The lifting part includes a driving device for lifting, rectilinearly-movable members for performing a rectilinear motion, and converting members for converting the rectilinear motion of the rectilinearly-movable member to a rotational motion and further to a lifting motion so as to transmit the lifting motion to the rollers. The converting members are arranged at the respective lattice points to lift up and down either group of rollers concurrently, which form a flat surface to convey articles.