Oblique Brush Support Between Rollers to Prevent Conveyor Jams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveying systems face issues with smaller objects getting stuck between rollers or conveyor belts, leading to blockages due to varying sizes and non-uniform shapes of goods, especially in systems with non-parallel roller configurations where gaps increase along the conveyor path.
Innovation Solution
A product conveying system with obliquely arranged brush elements between rollers, comprising a base and deflector elements that form an oblique angle to the conveying direction, providing flexible support and preventing objects from getting stuck, even in systems with varying gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rollers are arranged in a non-parallel configuration to enable non-straight conveying paths, then the conveying device can handle goods in varied directions and adapt to different storage space layouts, but the gap between rollers increases along the conveying path causing smaller goods to get stuck
Solution Approach 1:
A brush element is introduced as an intermediary component between the rollers to fill the gap and prevent goods from getting stuck. The brush element acts as a mediator that maintains continuous contact with goods while allowing the rollers to be arranged in non-parallel configurations for flexible conveying paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush element changes the effective gap parameter between rollers by providing additional support in the gap region. This allows the system to maintain smaller effective gaps for goods support while the physical roller arrangement remains flexible for non-straight paths.
2Reliability
If the distance between rollers is minimized to prevent small goods from getting stuck, then blockage risk is reduced, but the conveying device cannot accommodate non-straight paths and varied conveying directions
Solution Approach 1:
The brush element serves as a mediator that enables the system to achieve both minimal effective gap for goods support and non-parallel roller arrangement for flexible paths. It decouples the constraint between gap size and path geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush element adds a dimensional component to the gap filling problem by extending vertically between rollers, transforming a two-dimensional gap issue into a three-dimensional support structure that allows geometric flexibility.
3Reliability
If brush elements are added to support smaller goods between rollers, then the risk of blockages is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brush element uses a flexible structure with elongated deflector elements that can bend and adapt to the gap geometry. This flexibility allows the brush element to conform to non-parallel roller arrangements without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush element's deflector elements can change their spatial configuration through bending to accommodate varying gap sizes and angles, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed components or complex actuation systems.
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
The system effectively supports a variety of object sizes and shapes without blockages, ensuring smooth operation and flexibility in conveying paths, including both straight and non-straight trajectories.
Implementation Method 1
a product support system having at least one brush element for supporting the objects
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a product conveying and product support system for conveying objects (18), such as luggage or packages, and comprises a number of subsequently arranged conveying elements (12) defining a conveying direction. The system comprises at least one first brush element (20) for supporting objects (18) and has a base element (24) and a number of elongated deflector elements (26) connected to the base element (24) and connected to the conveying elements (12) at an oblique angle in relation to said conveying direction.