Linear-Motor Conveyor Transfer With Interchangeable Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear-motor conveyors, such as ACOPOStrak systems, are unable to support various product shapes and sizes and do not facilitate the transfer of products between shuttles and other conveyors.
Innovation Solution
A transfer system comprising a linear-motor conveyor with carriers and a transfer member that supports conveyed objects, allowing them to be transferred between linear-motor conveyors and other conveyors using various mechanisms like pushers, lifters, and arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional linear-motor shuttles are used, then the conveyor system is simple in structure, but it cannot support various product shapes and sizes or transfer products to other conveyors
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the conveyor into separate functional modules: linear-motor shuttles for transport and interchangeable carriers for product support. Each carrier is designed for specific product types (tray packs, totes, individual items), allowing the system to handle various shapes and sizes by simply changing carriers rather than redesigning the entire shuttle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear-motor shuttle design serves as a universal platform that can work with multiple types of carriers. The standardized interface between shuttles and carriers allows a single shuttle design to support diverse product configurations, achieving versatility without increasing shuttle complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional linear-motor shuttles are used, then the system has fewer components, but it cannot transfer products between shuttles and other conveyors
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier acts as an intermediary between the linear-motor shuttle and external conveyors. The carrier is designed with features that facilitate transfer to different conveyor types (belt conveyors, roller conveyors, etc.), absorbing the complexity of interface variations while maintaining a simple shuttle design.
3Productivity
If carriers with transfer members are added to shuttles, then product transfer capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer members on the carriers are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt to different product positions and conveyor interfaces. This dynamic capability enables efficient transfers without requiring complex fixed mechanisms for every possible transfer scenario.
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
Enables efficient transfer of tray packs and other objects between linear-motor conveyors and other conveyors, accommodating different shapes and sizes, and supporting seamless transitions.
Implementation Method 1
Linear-motor conveyors, such as the ACOPOStrak transfer systems manufactured and sold by B&R Industrial Automation GmbH of Eggelsberg, Austria, convey products electromagnetically over a network of linear-motor stator tracks
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer system comprising a carrier attached by fastening structure to a linear-motor shuttle driven by a linear-motor stator along a track. Tray packs or other conveyed objects are transferred between the carriers and infeed and outfeed conveyors by the carriers at transfer segments as the carriers advance along the track.