Magnetic Conveyor Tray With Self-Clearing Sweeper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor trays used for transporting food products face contamination issues due to remnants and debris, which existing technologies fail to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a conveyor tray system featuring a platform with a top conveying surface, a tray-clearing tool, and a mover supported by a permanent-magnet array or a sweeper actuated by an electromechanical system, which interacts with a linear-motor stator to propel the tray and clear debris, utilizing magnetic fields and electromagnetic flux waves for efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional conveyor tray system is used to transport food products, then the trays can be propelled along the conveying line, but remnants of food products and debris contaminate the conveyed products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of conveyed productsVSAvoidcontamination by food remnants and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor tray system performs self-clearing by incorporating a sweeper mechanism that actively removes debris and food remnants from the tray surface during operation, eliminating the need for external cleaning interventions and ensuring continuous product cleanliness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful elements (debris and food remnants) are extracted from the conveying surface through the sweeper mechanism, which collects and removes contaminants from the tray, preventing them from contaminating the conveyed food products

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a sweeper mechanism is added to clear the conveying surface, then debris removal is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of conveying surfaceVSAvoidstructure of conveyor tray system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sweeper mechanism is integrated into the existing conveyor tray structure, combining the cleaning function with the transport function in a unified system, thereby minimizing additional complexity while achieving effective debris removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor tray system is designed to perform multiple functions: transporting food products, propelling trays along the conveying line, and clearing debris from the surface, all within a single integrated system that minimizes overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If a permanent-magnet array and electromagnetic flux wave system is used for propulsion, then efficient tray movement is achieved, but the device complexity and energy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropulsion efficiency of conveyor trayVSAvoidmover and stator system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical drive system is replaced with an electromagnetic propulsion system using permanent magnets and electromagnetic flux waves, eliminating mechanical contact and reducing moving parts while achieving efficient tray movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The propulsion system utilizes magnetic field parameters and electromagnetic flux characteristics to achieve controlled tray movement, replacing mechanical force parameters with electromagnetic field parameters for more efficient and controllable propulsion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system effectively clears debris from the conveying surface while maintaining efficient propulsion of the trays, ensuring cleanliness and reliability in food product transportation.

Implementation Method 1

a mover supporting the platform and including a permanent-magnet array producing a magnetic field. The stator produces an electromagnetic flux wave that interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent-magnet array in the mover to propel the conveyor tray along the conveying path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The stator produces an electromagnetic flux wave that interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent-magnet array in the mover to propel the conveyor tray along the conveying path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic propulsion: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 3

a pickup coil attached to the mover to transfer power to the tray-clearing tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12187543B2Self-clearing tray conveyor

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 LAITRAM LLC

AI summary

A magnetic tray for a tray conveyor has a permanent-magnet array producing a magnetic field that interacts with an electromagnetic flux wave produced by a linear-motor stator to propel the tray in a conveying direction. The tray includes a top conveying platform supported on a mover housing the permanent-magnet array and a tray-clearing tool that removes conveyed articles or debris from the platform. The tray-clearing tool is powered by the stator.