Pivotable Roller Conveyor for Zero-Gap Article Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems experience inefficiencies due to zero or non-contact accumulation methods, which result in gaps between articles, reducing throughput and requiring additional conveyor zones, thereby increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with a pivotable frame that selectively engages and disengages rollers based on predefined criteria, such as article length and empty space, to form article slugs on each conveyor zone, maximizing zone utilization and minimizing gaps between slugs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zero or non-contact accumulation methods are used, then articles can be accumulated on the conveyor, but gaps between articles are created, reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system dynamically adjusts the contact between the conveyor bed and articles based on accumulation needs. The pivotable frame allows the conveyor bed to transition between contact and non-contact states, enabling the system to provide physical support when accumulation is required while maintaining throughput efficiency by minimizing gaps between article slugs.
2Productivity
If additional conveyor zones are added to reduce gaps between articles, then throughput increases, but system complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters of existing conveyor zones by introducing a pivotable frame that can alter the contact state between the conveyor bed and articles. This allows a single conveyor zone to perform multiple functions (transport and accumulation) that traditionally required multiple zones, thereby increasing throughput without adding system complexity.
3Device complexity
If conventional conveyor systems are used, then structure is simple, but gaps between articles reduce zone utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable frame introduces dynamic adjustment capability to the conveyor structure, allowing it to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements. This enables better zone utilization by forming continuous article slugs that maximize the use of available conveyor space, while the structural addition remains relatively simple compared to the operational improvements achieved.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor bed including a conveyor frame, a first set of rollers, a second set of rollers, and a pivotable frame is provided. The first set of rollers are coupled to the conveyor frame to transport an article from an upstream location to a downstream location. The pivotable frame pivotably coupled to a side of the of the conveyor frame. The second set of rollers mounted to the pivotable frame, positioned below the first set of rollers. A belt wrapped is around the second set of rollers, and selectively engages and disengages the first set of rollers in response to pivoting the pivotable frame based on predefined criteria.