Modular Guiding Rail System for Flexible Product Carrier Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices for product carriers on rails require cutting of beam profiles to accommodate switches, leading to weakened structures and increased costs due to the need for additional support and potential reconfiguration of production flows.
Innovation Solution
A modularly constructed guiding rail system that allows flexible positioning of branches without cutting the main rail, using detachably attached guiding rail parts that can be rearranged to create interruptions for switches, maintaining bending stiffness with a lower material consumption and reduced installation height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the beam profile is cut to accommodate switches, then branches can be positioned at optional locations, but the bending stiffness is reduced and structural integrity is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The beam profile is divided into modular beam sections that can be detachably connected. This allows switches to be installed at connection points without cutting the beam, maintaining structural integrity while enabling flexible branch positioning. The modular sections can be assembled in different configurations to accommodate various production flow requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam sections are designed with detachable connections that allow the structure to be dynamically reconfigured. Beam sections can be added, removed, or repositioned at connection points to adapt to changing production needs without permanently altering the beam structure, thus maintaining strength while providing adaptability.
2Strength
If additional load-bearing beam structure is added to ensure bending stiffness at switch locations, then structural integrity is maintained, but material consumption and installation height increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding continuous reinforcement along the beam, the structure uses discrete beam sections with detachable connections at switch locations. This segmented approach provides structural support exactly where needed without the excess material consumption associated with continuous reinforcement or increased beam height throughout the entire structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the beam profile is cut and reconfigured for production flow changes, then adaptability to different production scenarios is improved, but additional costs and complexity are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The beam structure is segmented into standardized modular sections with uniform detachable connections. This standardization simplifies the reconfiguration process for production flow changes, as sections can be easily added, removed, or repositioned without complex cutting and welding operations, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable connection system enables dynamic reconfiguration of the beam structure to adapt to different production scenarios. Standardized connection mechanisms allow for easy assembly and disassembly of beam sections, facilitating production flow changes without requiring complex structural modifications or specialized tools.
Data Source
AI summary
Construction element for a device for forward feeding of product carriers (16), which construction element comprises a first beam section (14) presenting a main rail (15) intended to carry product carriers (16) movably resting on said main rail (15), a second beam section presenting a console intended to carry an endless belt (1) or chain, which is intended to contribute to the forward feeding of said product carrier (16), and guiding means (19) running along said main rail (15) intended to retain product carriers (16) on the main rail (15), and also a device for forward feeding of product carriers including such a construction element.