Lifting Device Segmentation for Continuous Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lifting devices have poor conveyance efficiency due to the need for a conveyance object to be placed on standby until the lifting and lowering table returns from the upper station, resulting in inefficiencies in transferring objects between upper and lower conveyor stations in complex three-dimensional conveyor systems.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of multiple lifting and lowering tables that move vertically between upper and lower stations, with horizontal tables at each station forming a series of conveying passages, allowing continuous operation by moving empty tables to create space for incoming objects and maintaining high efficiency by synchronizing the movement of lifting and lowering tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single lifting and lowering table is used to transfer conveyance objects between upper and lower conveyors, then the structure is simple, but the conveyance efficiency is poor due to required standby periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single lifting table is segmented into multiple lifting tables (first lifting table and second lifting table) that operate independently. This allows parallel operations where one table is loading while another is unloading, eliminating standby periods and improving conveyance efficiency without requiring complex coordinated control of a single table

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple lifting tables are combined within a single lifting device structure, sharing common support frameworks and control systems. This merging approach improves conveyance efficiency through parallel operations while keeping the overall structural complexity manageable by reusing common components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Speed

If the lifting and lowering table moves continuously between upper and lower stations, then conveyance speed increases, but the station area becomes occupied preventing simultaneous loading/unloading operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance speedVSAvoidstation occupancy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The station area is segmented into multiple operational zones by providing separate loading areas and unloading areas for different lifting tables. This allows simultaneous operations at different spatial locations within the same station, enabling continuous high-speed conveyance without mutual interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-vertical-dimension operation to a two-dimensional operational space by arranging multiple lifting tables side-by-side with distinct loading and unloading positions. This spatial arrangement allows parallel operations without increasing the vertical movement complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3643646B1Lifting device and sorting device
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 ITOH ELECTRIC COMPANY LIMITED
  • EP3643646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643646B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643646B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A lifting device (1) includes an upper station (2), a lower station (3), and lifting and lowering placing tables (10 and 11). The upper station (2) and the lower station (3) have horizontal placing tables (5 and 6), respectively. The horizontal placing tables (5 and 6) move only in the horizontal direction. The lifting and lowering placing tables (10 and 11) move only in the vertical direction. When any of the lifting and lowering placing tables (10 and 11) is in the upper station (2), the upper side horizontal placing table (5) is at a position adjacent to the lifting and lowering placing tables (10 and 11) to form a series of conveying passages. When the lifting and lowering placing tables (10 and 11) move away from the upper station (2), the upper side horizontal placing table (5) moves to a position where the lifting and lowering placing tables (10 and 11) used to exist. When the lifting and lowering placing tables (10 and 11) move away from the lower station (3), the lower side horizontal placing table (6) moves to a position where the lifting and lowering placing tables (10 and 11) used to exist.