Pivoting Carriage Deck for Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical reciprocating conveyors face challenges in shipping and on-site installation due to the fixed carriage deck, requiring additional storage space and welding expertise, which complicates the installation process.
Innovation Solution
The carriage deck is designed to pivot between an operating and storage condition, allowing it to be reduced in size for shipping and assembled onsite without welding, using pivot pins and locking pins for easy reassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the carriage deck is fixed in the perpendicular position to support cargo, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the shipping space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage deck is made dynamic by enabling it to pivot between a perpendicular operating position (for load-bearing) and a parallel storage position (for compact shipping). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same structure to serve two contradictory requirements: supporting cargo during operation and minimizing space during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage deck transitions from extending in one dimension (perpendicular to uprights for cargo support) to aligning with another dimension (parallel to uprights for compact storage). This dimensional reorientation resolves the contradiction between needing space for cargo and needing compactness for shipping.
2Productivity
If the carriage deck is shipped detached from the vertical uprights to reduce shipping size, then the shipping efficiency is improved, but the installation complexity increases due to welding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage assembly is segmented into separable components (carriage deck and vertical uprights) that can be shipped independently. However, the segmentation is designed with standardized pivot brackets and pin connections that simplify reassembly, avoiding the need for complex welding operations during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
Pivot brackets and removable pins serve as intermediary elements that facilitate easy connection and disconnection between the carriage deck and uprights. These intermediaries enable the system to be separated for efficient shipping while allowing simple pin-based reassembly during installation, eliminating the need for welding.
3Reliability
If the carriage deck is welded onsite to ensure proper installation, then the installation reliability is improved, but the installation time and skill requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, replaceable pin connections instead of permanent welds. These inexpensive pin elements can be quickly installed and removed without specialized equipment or skills, maintaining installation reliability while dramatically reducing installation time and skill requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot bracket design with built-in pin receptacles allows for self-aligning, tool-free or minimal-tool assembly. The structure guides the pins into place automatically, enabling installers to complete the assembly without requiring welding expertise or complex alignment procedures, thus reducing both time and skill requirements while maintaining reliability.
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
This design facilitates reduced shipping size and eliminates the need for on-site welding, enabling efficient transportation and installation of the conveyor system while ensuring proper weight support for cargo.
Implementation Method 1
A carriage deck is pivotally mounted to the pair of spaced uprights. The carriage deck is movable between an operating condition in which the carriage deck is perpendicular to the pair of spaced uprights and a storage condition in which the carriage deck is generally parallel to the pair of spaced uprights.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical reciprocating conveyor that can be transported in a storage condition and assembled at a work facility in an operating condition. The vertical reciprocating conveyor includes a carriage assembly that is movable along a pair of spaced vertical rails of a support frame. The carriage assembly includes a pair of spaced uprights and a carriage deck designed to support material moved along the pair of spaced vertical rails of the support frame. The carriage deck is movable between an operating condition and a storage condition, where the carriage deck is perpendicular to the pair of spaced uprights in the operating condition and parallel to the pair of spaced uprights in the storage condition. The movement of the carriage deck allows the overall size of the vertical reciprocating conveyor to be reduced for shipping.