Multi-Shelf Lifting Apparatus for Zigzag Conveyor Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lifting and lowering apparatuses in three-dimensional conveyor systems have low conveyance efficiency due to the need for objects to wait for the lifting and lowering table to arrive at the upper station before being transferred, resulting in inefficiencies in moving objects between upper and lower conveyor paths.
Innovation Solution
A lifting and lowering apparatus with two shelf members, each having multiple placing tables of different heights, where objects can be transferred between tables by adjusting the height of one shelf member to match the other, allowing for outbound and return operations to efficiently move objects in a zigzag pattern between adjacent shelf members, enhancing conveyance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single lifting and lowering table is used to transfer objects between upper and lower conveyors, then the structure is simple, but the conveyance efficiency is low because objects must wait for the table to arrive at the upper station
Solution Approach 1:
The single lifting and lowering table is segmented into multiple independent placing tables (first placing tables and second placing tables) arranged at different heights. Each placing table can be independently positioned and used for object transfer, allowing parallel operations to occur simultaneously at different height levels, thereby improving conveyance efficiency without requiring a completely new system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-level lifting table to a multi-level three-dimensional structure with placing tables arranged at different heights. This dimensional expansion allows objects to be transferred between multiple conveyor levels simultaneously, eliminating the sequential waiting time inherent in single-level systems while maintaining structural coherence
2Loss of time
If the lifting and lowering table is at the upper station, then objects can be transferred to the upper conveyor, but the table is absent from the lower station causing objects to wait
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple placing tables are prepared in advance at different height positions within the lifting and lowering apparatus. While one table is transferring objects to the upper conveyor, other tables are already positioned and ready to receive objects from the lower conveyor, eliminating idle waiting time through pre-positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-level placing table structure enables continuous object transfer operations without interruption. As tables move between upper and lower stations, other tables simultaneously perform transfer operations at different heights, ensuring that the system maintains continuous productive action rather than experiencing periodic idle periods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly improves conveyance efficiency by allowing objects to be moved in a zigzag pattern between shelf members, reducing wait times and increasing the speed of transferring objects between different heights in three-dimensional conveyor systems.
Implementation Method 1
the lifting and lowering mechanism (8) that lifts and lowers the first and second shelf members (6, 7) includes a rotary disk (50) that is rotated by a geared motor (43), and a link rod (51) that connects the rotary disk (50) and the lifting frame (18a)
Data Source
AI summary
The lifting and lowering apparatus includes a plurality of shelf members 6 and 7 and a lifting and lowering mechanism 8. The shelf members 6 and 7 respectively include placing tables A and B positioned on different heights, and each placing table is provided with a conveying unit 10. The shelf members 6 and 7 are lifted and lowered by the lifting and lowering mechanism 8, whereby the placing table A (B) of the shelf member 6 (7) which is one of the shelf members 6 and 7 is adjusted to be on the same height as the placing table B (A) of the other shelf member 7 (6), and with this state, an object is transferred from the placing table of one of the shelf members to the placing table of the other shelf member. The shelf members 6 and 7 are again lifted and lowered to adjust the placing table B (A) of the other shelf member 7 (6) to be on the same height as the placing table A (B) which belongs to the shelf member 6 (7) and which is positioned on a different height, returns the object to the shelf member 6 (7), and transfers the object to the placing table A (B) which is positioned on a different height from the previous placing table A (B).