Modular Pallet Conveyance with External Drive and Common Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing workpiece conveyance systems face challenges in cost-effectively changing specifications of conveyance devices and pallets, as manufacturing dedicated pallets for each workpiece type and factory increases costs, and existing solutions do not adequately address the need for flexible specification changes in both pallets and conveyance mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance device design featuring a pair of support frames defining a conveyance track, a driving unit on one frame, a driven unit, an auxiliary unit, and a stopping unit, where the driven and auxiliary units are common components that can be reused across different workpiece types, reducing the need for redesign and minimizing the cost of pallet manufacturing by eliminating the need for a built-in driving source like a motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated pallet with built-in driving source is manufactured for each workpiece type, then the conveyance function is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving source is extracted from the pallet and placed in a separate conveyance device. The pallet becomes a passive carrier that is conveyed by an external driving mechanism, eliminating the need for built-in motors while maintaining conveyance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The pallet is designed as a universal carrier that can be used with different workpiece types. The same pallet structure serves multiple purposes across different conveyance applications, reducing the need for dedicated pallets for each workpiece type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the arrangement of pallet is unitized to facilitate specification changes, then the adaptability to different workpiece types is improved, but the conveyance mechanism specifications still require changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent modular components: standardized pallets and separate conveyance devices. This allows the pallets to be designed and manufactured independently with standardized specifications, while conveyance devices can be configured separately for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adapting the conveyance mechanism to each pallet specification, the approach is inverted: standardized pallets are designed first, and conveyance devices are then configured to accommodate these standard pallets. This reverses the traditional design approach and simplifies pallet standardization.
3Productivity
If multiple conveyance devices are arranged in series to form a conveyance layout, then the conveyance capability is improved, but the complexity of specification changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance system is divided into multiple independent conveyance devices arranged in series, each handling a specific segment of the overall conveyance path. Each device operates independently with standardized pallet interfaces, allowing individual devices to be modified without affecting the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyance device includes a pair of first and second support frames provided so as to be parallel to each other, and configured to define a conveyance track of a pallet; a driving unit provided on the first support frame and configured to apply a conveyance force to the pallet; a driven unit as a unit forming the pallet, configured to travel along a first guide portion of the first support frame by the driving unit; an auxiliary unit as a unit forming the pallet, connected to the driven unit via a placement member of the pallet and capable of freely traveling along a second guide portion of the second support frame, and a stopping unit including an engaging portion that engages with a portion of the driven unit, and configured to temporarily stop a movement of the pallet.