Movable Conveyor Belt With Lift Systems For Vehicle Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems currently lack automation for lifting and loading packages into vehicles, requiring manual intervention and limiting efficiency in material transport from warehouses to vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A movable conveyor belt system with two degrees of freedom, equipped with sensors for vehicle alignment, lift systems for panel movement, and actuated pushers for loading, controlled by a computer controller to automate the loading process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conveyor systems are used to move material, then transport efficiency is improved, but automation capability for lifting and loading is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a conveyor system with lift systems and loading mechanisms into an integrated automated vehicle loading system. The conveyor belt transports packages to the vehicle, while attached lift systems vertically move packages onto the vehicle platform, creating a merged system that handles both horizontal transport and vertical lifting automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated loading system performs multiple functions: it transports packages horizontally via conveyor belt, lifts them vertically using lift systems, positions them using robotic arms, and loads them onto the vehicle. This multi-functional system replaces multiple separate operations with a single integrated automated platform.
2Device complexity
If manual intervention is used for loading packages, then system complexity is reduced, but labor requirements and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs loading operations autonomously without requiring manual intervention. Sensors detect packages on the conveyor belt, automatically activate lift systems when the belt stops at the vehicle, and use robotic arms to position and load packages. The system serves itself by automating the entire loading process from detection to completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect the presence of packages on the conveyor belt and provides feedback to the control system. When packages are detected and the conveyor stops at the vehicle, the sensors trigger the lift systems and robotic arms to activate, creating a feedback loop that enables automatic response and operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed conveyor systems are used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed conveyor structure to a movable conveyor system that can be repositioned along a track. The conveyor belt assembly with lift systems and robotic arms can move horizontally and vertically to adapt to different vehicle positions, heights, and configurations, providing dynamic flexibility while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated loading system is divided into modular segments: a movable conveyor belt assembly, separate lift systems, and independent robotic arms. Each module can be independently positioned and adjusted to accommodate different vehicle types and configurations, allowing the system to adapt while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for moving merchandize from a warehouse to a vehicle is described herein. The system includes a movable conveyor belt system configured to move on a plurality of rollers in a two degrees of freedom, and one or more lift systems attached to the movable conveyor belt system. The system also includes one or more configurable panels mounted to the movable conveyor belt system via the one or more lift systems, the one or more configurable panels being configured to hold merchandize to be lifted by the one or more lift systems.