Overhead Flighted Conveyor Diverting Lightweight Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product handling systems lack precise control over diverting and orienting products, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in diverting lightweight products like wrapped tampons during mass handling.
Innovation Solution
A product handling system incorporating an overhead diverter assembly with flighted conveyors and a control system that allows for diverting and cassette filling modes, utilizing servo motors and timing belts to precisely control the movement and positioning of products, reducing damage and improving handling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If guide rails or walls are used to divert product, then product can be diverted to a different conveying line, but control over the amount of product diverted and product orientation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The diverter assembly uses a flighted conveyor with variable speed control to dynamically adjust the diversion ratio and product orientation. The flighted conveyor can be operated at different speeds relative to the main conveyor to control how many products are diverted and in what orientation, replacing the static guide rail system with a dynamic, controllable mechanism.
2Reliability
If traditional diverting systems are used, then product can be redirected, but lightweight products may be damaged due to lack of precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the speed parameter of the flighted conveyor to precisely control product handling. By adjusting the flighted conveyor speed to match or differ from the main conveyor speed, the system can gently transfer lightweight products without damage while maintaining precise control over diversion amount and orientation.
3Ease of operation
If flighted conveyor operates at variable speed, then precise control over product diversion is achieved, but synchronization with constant speed cassette conveyor becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic speed adjustments of the flighted conveyor to synchronize with the cassette conveyor. The flighted conveyor operates in cycles, adjusting its speed periodically to match the constant speed cassette conveyor at transfer points, enabling precise product positioning without requiring the entire system to run at variable speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
A product handling system includes a product conveyor capable of transporting a plurality of products. An overhead diverter assembly includes a flighted conveyor situated substantially orthogonal to the product conveyor that includes a flight. A transport containment device is located at least partially below the flighted conveyor. A control system operates the overhead diverter such that the flighted conveyor has a diverting mode and a cassette filling mode. When the flighted conveyor is in the diverting mode, the flight moves in a profiled motion to acquire the product from the product conveyor at a location beneath the overhead diverter and transports the product along the transport containment device.