Modular Conveyor With Collapsible Wings For Dynamic Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems are inflexible and require permanent installation, which is costly and inefficient for facilities with dynamic use areas or limited space, as they cannot easily adapt to changing operational needs or reduce floor space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A modular handling system comprising mobile bases with collapsible wings and adjustable legs, allowing for reconfiguration of conveyor paths and sorting systems to adapt to different layouts and reduce floor space, featuring bi-directional, powered, and gravity rollers for flexible material transport and sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixed conveyors are installed permanently in a facility, then material transport reliability is improved, but adaptability to changing operational needs deteriorates and installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system employs mobile bases with wheels instead of fixed floor mounting, allowing the entire conveyor assembly to be moved and repositioned dynamically. The collapsible wings can be folded and stored when not needed, and the conveyor path can be reconfigured by moving modular sections. This dynamic design maintains operational reliability while enabling adaptability to changing facility layouts and operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor is divided into modular sections including mobile bases, collapsible wings, and interchangeable rollers that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows flexible reconfiguration of the conveyor path to adapt to different operational needs while maintaining reliable material transport through standardized connection interfaces between modules.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional fixed conveyors are bolted to the floor for stability, then structural stability is improved, but ease of relocation deteriorates and floor space utilization worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static floor-bolted structures with mobile bases equipped with wheels and locking mechanisms. The conveyor maintains structural stability during operation through the locking wheels and stable platform design, while enabling easy relocation by releasing the locks and moving the mobile bases to new positions. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of relocation.
3Manufacturing precision
If conveyor systems are designed for permanent installation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different facilities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile conveyor system employs universal connection interfaces and standardized modular components that can be adapted to various facility layouts and floor configurations. The precision of the conveyor path is maintained through carefully designed mechanical connections between modular sections, while the universal adaptability is achieved through the mobile base design that can be positioned and leveled at different locations across different facilities.
4Reliability
If sorting equipment is permanently installed along conveyors, then sorting reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sorting system is divided into independent modular sorting devices that can be attached to or detached from the mobile conveyor sections. Each sorting module maintains reliable sorting function through dedicated sensors and diverters, while the overall system complexity is reduced by allowing selective deployment of sorting capabilities only where and when needed, rather than permanently installing complex sorting infrastructure along the entire conveyor path.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular handling system and method for transporting cases is disclosed. The system includes at least one mobile base including a base frame with a base diverter thereon and at least one collapsible wing. The base frame is supported by wheeled legs. The collapsible wing includes a wing frame. The wing frame is operatively connectable to the mobile base, and is supported by collapsible legs. The wing frame and the collapsible legs are movable between an operational position and a collapsed position whereby a configurable path is movably positionable about a work space. A sorting system including at least one sorter mounted to the mobile base(s) may also be provided. Each sorter is operatively connectable to the mobile bases to identify and route the cases. The sorters are interactively coupled for communication therebetween whereby the cases are selectively movable about the configurable path.