Mobile Bridge Conveyor Parallel Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor systems for stacking material face challenges in efficiently utilizing irregularly shaped storage areas, leading to increased operational costs and downtime due to frequent repositioning of mobile bridge conveyors and the need for system shutdowns when adding or removing grasshopper conveyors.

Innovation Solution

A conveying system comprising a feed conveyor device, a first mobile conveyor apparatus with a moveable tripper, and a second mobile conveyor apparatus with a hopper and tripper, allowing for parallel movement and orientation adjustment to maintain alignment and extend beyond the first conveyor, reducing the need for frequent repositioning and system shutdowns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobile bridge conveyors are frequently repositioned to stack material in irregularly shaped storage areas, then adaptability to storage area shapes is improved, but operational costs and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to storage area shapesVSAvoiddowntime for repositioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor system employs moveable bridge conveyors that can dynamically reposition themselves along the storage area, transforming from a static to a dynamic configuration. This allows the system to adapt to irregularly shaped storage areas without complete shutdowns, as the moveable bridges can shift positions while maintaining material flow continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor system is divided into multiple independent bridge conveyor segments that can operate semi-autonomously. Each bridge conveyor can be repositioned independently to handle irregular storage area shapes, reducing the need to reposition the entire system and minimizing downtime during reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If grasshopper conveyors are added or removed to accommodate storage area changes, then adaptability is improved, but system shutdowns and operational interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to storage area changesVSAvoidoperational continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses moveable bridge conveyors that can dynamically adjust their positions and configurations in response to storage area changes, eliminating the need to add or remove grasshopper conveyors. This dynamic adaptation maintains operational continuity while accommodating varying storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The moveable bridge conveyors serve multiple functions: they can stack material, transfer material between conveyors, and reposition themselves to accommodate different storage area configurations. This multi-functionality replaces the need for specialized grasshopper conveyors, maintaining productivity while providing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple conveyors are used to stack material in different areas, then stacking capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking capability in different areasVSAvoidnumber of conveyors required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each bridge conveyor in the system is designed as a multi-functional unit that can perform stacking, material transfer, and self-repositioning operations. This universality allows a smaller number of conveyors to handle multiple stacking areas and operations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive stacking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines stacking, transfer, and repositioning functions into integrated bridge conveyor units. By merging these previously separate functions into single multi-functional components, the system reduces the total number of conveyors needed while maintaining the ability to stack material in multiple different areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8276736B2Conveyor apparatus and system for moving material
Publication Date: 2012.10.02 VIRTA INC
  • US8276736B2 patent drawing
  • US8276736B2 patent drawing
  • US8276736B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A conveyor apparatus includes a first conveyor apparatus and a second conveyor apparatus. The first conveyor apparatus is positionable adjacent to a feed conveying device. The first conveyor apparatus is configured to pivot about a position adjacent to the feed conveyor device or move laterally adjacent to the feed conveyor. The second conveyor apparatus is configured to move such that the second conveyor apparatus maintains a position substantially parallel to the first conveyor apparatus when the first conveyor apparatus moves or pivots. In some embodiments, the second conveyor apparatus may also be configured to move along a path so that the second conveyor apparatus is extendable beyond an end of the first conveyor apparatus. The path may be a linear path and may be substantially parallel to the length of the first conveyor apparatus such as a path that extends in a direction that is a few degrees off of being perfectly parallel.