Object Stop With Retractable Fingers For Conveyor Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated conveying mechanisms are inefficient in consistently moving objects of varying sizes, particularly struggling with smaller, irregular objects such as padded mailers, due to insufficient object stopping capabilities at the end of conveyors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an object redirection mechanism featuring an arm tunnel with rotationally-retractable fingers and an object stop that allows the extendable arm to redirect objects by extending beyond the conveyor's edge, engaging and moving objects in a perpendicular direction, thereby addressing the issue of low-profile objects overshooting the conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional conveying mechanisms are used, then large objects can be moved, but smaller irregular objects cannot be consistently moved
Solution Approach 1:
The arm mechanism is made dynamically adjustable with extendable and retractable fingers that can adapt their position and configuration based on object size and shape, enabling reliable handling of both large boxes and small irregular objects like padded mailers
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying mechanism incorporates adjustable parameters including finger extension length, arm positioning, and stopping force that can be modified to accommodate different object types, ensuring consistent and reliable operation across varying object sizes
2Length of moving object
If the conveyor end is extended to accommodate larger objects, then large objects can be stopped, but smaller objects will overshoot
Solution Approach 1:
The object stop is positioned at the optimal location along the conveyor to intercept objects before they overshoot, while the extendable arm with adjustable fingers makes preliminary contact with objects to guide them onto the conveyor or redirect them, ensuring precise stopping for objects of all sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The extendable arm with adjustable fingers acts as an intermediary between the conveyor and the object stop, providing fine-tuned control over object positioning and ensuring that both small and large objects are stopped with precision at the correct location
3Ease of operation
If an object stop is added to stop objects, then objects can be redirected, but the arm mechanism cannot extend beyond the conveyor edge
Solution Approach 1:
The arm tunnel is designed as a nested structure that houses the extendable arm mechanism, allowing the arm to extend beyond the conveyor edge while remaining protected and guided within the tunnel structure, thus enabling object redirection without excessive complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An object redirection mechanism for a conveying system is provided. The object redirection mechanism is configured to redirect an object moved by the conveying system from a first direction to a second direction. The object redirection mechanism includes an arm tunnel positioned proximate an end of a conveyor configured for moving an object in the first direction. The arm tunnel includes an object stop having an object stopping portion defining at least a first side of the arm tunnel at least substantially parallel with the second direction and configured to engage an object moving in the first direction. The object stopping portion defines at least one finger aperture to enable at least one of the rotationally-retractable fingers to, when aligned with the at least one finger aperture, rotate between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. A corresponding object conveying system and method of assembling an object stop are provided.