Pallet Lifting Assembly With Gradual Alignment on Moving Belts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet lifting devices fail to adequately correct misalignment of pallets during lifting, leading to potential misalignment or dropping of workpieces on the pallets, which can cause congestion and inefficiencies in production lines.
Innovation Solution
A pallet lifting device with lifting and lowering actuators and a fixing mechanism that allows for the correction of pallet misalignment while lifting, ensuring precise alignment and secure fixation of the pallets during conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the lifting head corrects misalignment and grabs the pallet simultaneously during lifting, then the pallet can be lifted quickly to allow other pallets to pass underneath, but the impact applied to the workpiece becomes stronger and there is a risk that the workpiece is misaligned or falls off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lifting and alignment correction operations into distinct phases. The lifting head first grabs the pallet, then gradually corrects misalignment during the lifting process rather than attempting both actions simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to maintain productivity while reducing impact on the workpiece.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting head performs preliminary grabbing of the pallet before full lifting occurs. By establishing initial contact and grip beforehand, the system can then proceed with gradual alignment correction during the lifting process, ensuring the workpiece remains secure while allowing other pallets to pass underneath.
2Loss of time
If the pallet is lifted quickly to solve congestion, then other pallets can pass underneath, but there is not enough time to ensure proper correction of misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting head dynamically adjusts its position during the lifting process to correct misalignment. Rather than requiring complete alignment before lifting, the system performs gradual correction throughout the lifting motion, allowing the pallet to be raised efficiently while continuously adjusting to maintain proper alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment correction action continues throughout the lifting process rather than being a separate preliminary step. This continuous correction ensures that misalignment is addressed over the extended duration of the lift, maintaining precision without delaying the overall conveyance process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pallet lifting device (50) configured to lift a pallet (11) mounted on and conveyed by a moving belt (20) while the pallet (11) is being conveyed, the pallet lifting device (50) including: lifting and lowering actuators (51) provided on both sides of the belt (20) such that the belt (20) is provided between the lifting and lowering actuators (51); a mounting member (52) provided so as to be movable up and down by the lifting and lowering actuators (51), the mounting member (52) being configured so as to be able to mount the pallet (11) at a lowered position; and a fixing mechanism (61) configured to clamp the pallet (11) with the mounting member (52) in a state in which the mounting member (52) mounting the pallet (11) is moved upward.