Pallet Transfer Chain Layout for Compact Carry-In/Out Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carry-in/out systems require a large planar installation space and are costly due to the need for multiple operation areas and expensive running lifters, making it difficult to reduce manufacturing costs and maintenance time while effectively utilizing factory space.
Innovation Solution
The system reduces operation areas by integrating the setup and one-piece picking-up area with the product and skeleton collection areas, eliminating the need for a running lifter by using transfer chains and pallet guides to move pallets between areas, allowing for efficient raw material, product, and skeleton handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a running lifter is used to transfer pallets between operation areas, then the pallet transfer function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the running lifter from the system entirely. Instead of using a complex running lifter to transfer pallets, the invention uses simple transfer chains that are already present in the system, thereby eliminating the expensive and complex running lifter component while maintaining the pallet transfer function.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer chains that were originally designed for a different purpose are made to serve the dual function of both their original purpose and pallet transfer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated running lifters, reducing both manufacturing cost and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If four separate operation areas are formed along the Y-axis direction, then the functional requirements are met, but the planar installation space becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the setup area and one-piece picking-up area into a single integrated area. This consolidation reduces the number of separate operation areas from four to three, thereby reducing the planar installation space while still meeting all functional requirements for setup and picking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention reorganizes the spatial arrangement of operation areas, allowing overlapping or integrated zones that utilize space more efficiently. By consolidating areas that can share space and optimizing the layout, the system reduces the footprint along the Y-axis direction while maintaining all necessary functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A carry-in/out system includes a product pallet (36) configured to collect a product derived from a raw material, a skeleton pallet (38) configured to collect a skeletons as a scrap, and an endless transfer chain (62) circulatable along a Y-axis direction, and configured to transfer the product pallet in the Y-axis direction between a first operation area (A1) and a second operation area (A2) and transfer the skeleton pallet in the Y-axis direction between a third operation area (A3) and the second operation area, the carry-in/out system being configured such that when the skeleton pallet is transferred in the Y-axis direction between the third operation area and the second operation area, the product pallet is disengaged from the transfer chain and held above the transfer chain, or such that when the product pallet is transferred in the Y-axis direction between the first operation area and the second operation area, the skeleton pallet is disengaged from the transfer chain and held above the transfer chain.