Overhead Conveyor Integration with Lying Sorter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face challenges in efficiently conveying and sorting diverse goods, particularly large and heavy items, while also struggling to maximize throughput and utilize space effectively.
Innovation Solution
Combining a lying conveyor with an overhead conveyor system, where the overhead conveyor connects to delivery points of the lying conveyor, allowing goods to be conveyed and sorted in a suspended manner, thereby increasing system performance and expanding the range of goods that can be handled without requiring additional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lying conveyor is used to convey large heavy goods, then the conveying capability for large goods is improved, but the space utilization and throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an overhead conveyor dimension above the existing lying conveyor system. This vertical dimension allows small goods to be conveyed overhead while large goods continue on the lying conveyor below, effectively doubling the conveying capacity without requiring additional horizontal space. The overhead conveyor operates in the third dimension (vertical space) to resolve the throughput limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined conveyor system achieves multi-functionality by enabling two different conveying modes (lying conveyor for large goods, overhead conveyor for small goods) to operate simultaneously within a single integrated system. This universal system can handle diverse cargo types without requiring separate dedicated conveyor lines, thereby increasing overall productivity while maintaining adaptability.
2Productivity
If an overhead conveyor is added to increase throughput, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the overhead conveyor system with the existing lying conveyor system into a unified integrated conveyor. By connecting the overhead conveyor's delivery points to the lying conveyor's loading points, the system achieves coordinated operation where small goods delivered overhead are automatically transferred to the lying conveyor for further processing. This merging approach increases throughput while managing complexity through integration rather than separate independent systems.
3Area of stationary object
If the overhead conveyor is integrated with the lying conveyor, then the space utilization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration leverages the vertical dimension by positioning the overhead conveyor above the lying conveyor. This spatial arrangement maximizes space utilization by using unused vertical air space above the existing horizontal conveyor path. The connection points are strategically located where the overhead conveyor delivers goods directly above corresponding loading zones on the lying conveyor, enabling compact integration without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor system for conveying goods having a lying conveyor for conveying the goods horizontally, where the lying conveyor includes a sorting device with multiple delivery points, and having an overhead conveyor, by way of which the goods are conveyed in a suspended manner on a goods carrier, where the overhead conveyor is connected to at least one of the delivery points for delivering the goods.