Overhead Conveyor Transport Pocket Support for Stable Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current overhead conveyor systems face challenges such as high design complexity, alignment and stabilization issues during loading and unloading, high maintenance costs, and the need for custom-made transport bags, which limits flexibility and increases the risk of wear and damage.

Innovation Solution

A loading and unloading device for overhead conveyor systems that uses a pivoting mechanism with support devices to stabilize transport pockets, allowing for precise alignment and reduced mechanical stress, compatible with standard transport bags, and minimizing the need for complex electronic controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a complex electronic control system is used for loading and unloading transport units, then loading and unloading efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading and unloading efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport unit itself performs the opening and closing actions through its own weight and gravity. The front wall pivots automatically due to gravity when the support device is removed, eliminating the need for complex electronic control systems while maintaining efficient loading and unloading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention removes complex electronic control systems from the loading and unloading process. By extracting the control functionality and relying solely on mechanical gravity-based mechanisms, the system achieves simplicity while maintaining productivity through the natural pivoting motion of the transport unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If custom-made transport bags are used to accommodate specific loading mechanisms, then loading precision is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support device is designed to be universally applicable to different transport units and bag types. It provides the necessary alignment and stabilization function through a standardized mechanism that works with various bag configurations, eliminating the need for custom-made bags while maintaining precise alignment during loading and unloading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If high mechanical stress is applied to open transport bags quickly, then loading speed is improved, but the risk of wear and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading speedVSAvoidrisk of wear and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The opening process is made dynamic and controlled through the pivoting mechanism. The front wall pivots gradually from a closed to an open position through a controlled rotational motion, allowing the bag to open quickly without subjecting it to high mechanical stress or sudden impacts, thus reducing wear and damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support device is positioned in advance to provide stabilization before the pivoting action occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that the transport unit is properly aligned and supported during the opening process, preventing sudden stress spikes and reducing the risk of wear and damage while maintaining fast opening speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple support devices are used to stabilize transport units during loading, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the functions of multiple support devices into a single integrated support structure. This unified device provides both stabilization and alignment functions simultaneously, reducing the overall number of components while maintaining the precision previously achieved through multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution reduces maintenance costs, extends the service life of transport bags, increases system reliability, and enhances loading and unloading efficiency by simplifying the mechanical design and reducing mechanical stress on bags.

Implementation Method 1

the transport pocket pivots from a vertical first orientation into a second orientation pivoted relative to the vertical during conveying along a first section of the conveying path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a first support device configured to support, by means of the two bearing points of the rear wall of the transport pocket, a transport pocket pivoted into the second orientation during conveying along a second section of the conveying path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Support: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

a second support device configured to support the front wall of the transport pocket during conveying along a third section of the conveying path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Support: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 4

the front wall of the transport pocket is no longer supported by the second support device, the transport pocket opens due to gravity acting on the front wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4613674A1Device and method for loading and unloading transport units of an overhead conveyor system
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 FERAG AG
  • EP4613674A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4613674A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4613674A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A loading device (1) for loading transport units in an overhead conveyor device, comprising an overhead conveyor device (5) with at least one transport unit (4) with a support element (43) and a transport pocket (41) pivotally suspended from the support element, wherein the overhead conveyor device (5) is designed to convey the at least one transport unit along a conveying path (2) in a conveying direction (24), wherein the transport pocket (41) of the at least one transport unit (4) has a rear wall (412) pivotally suspended from the support element (43) of the transport unit (4), and wherein said rear wall (412) has two bearing points (413), each arranged laterally projecting on one side of the rear wall (412), and a front wall (411) movably connected to the rear wall, which front wall runs ahead of the rear wall (412) in the conveying direction (24);a pivoting device (13) configured to interact with the front wall (411) of the transport pocket (41) of a transport unit (4) conveyed along the conveying path of the overhead conveyor device (5), in order to pivot the transport pocket (41) from a vertical first orientation into a second orientation pivoted relative to the vertical during conveying along a first section (21) of the conveying path; a first support device (11) configured to support, by means of the two bearing points (413) of the rear wall (412) of the transport pocket, a transport pocket (41) pivoted into the second orientation during conveying along a second section (22) of the conveying path (2);and a second support device (12) configured to support the front wall (411) of the transport pocket (41) during conveyance along a third section (23) of the conveying path (2). The first support device (11) and the second support device (12) are configured such that the transport pocket (41) has a fixed, geometrically defined opening in the region where the second section (22) and the third section (23) of the conveying path (2) overlap.