Pivoting Conveyor Transfer Assembly for Belt Protrusion Clearance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face interference issues due to protrusions on the conveyor belt when using a stationary transfer plate, which can cause damage and prevent smooth article transfer between conveyors, especially for articles with small footprints or bottom features.
Innovation Solution
A transfer assembly with a pivotable cantilevered portion and a shaft system that allows the transfer assembly to pivot away from protrusions, using a combination of wheels and drive belts to ensure articles are transferred smoothly without interference, with features like grooved shafts and motor-driven pivot shafts for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stationary transfer plate is used to transfer articles between conveyors, then article transfer is enabled, but protrusions on the conveyor belt interfere with the transfer plate causing damage and preventing smooth transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer assembly is made dynamically movable rather than stationary. The cantilevered portion can pivot about the shaft to change its position relative to the conveyor belt, allowing it to adapt to protrusions during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the transfer assembly is changed dynamically. By pivoting the cantilevered portion about the shaft, the assembly changes its spatial parameter to avoid interference from protrusions while maintaining functional contact with articles
2Stability of the object's composition
If the gap between the transfer plate and conveyors is made small to prevent articles from tipping, then article stability is improved, but protrusions on the belt hit the transfer plate causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer assembly transitions from a fixed gap configuration to a dynamic one where the cantilevered portion can pivot. This allows the system to maintain small gaps for stability when needed while creating clearance when protrusions are present
3Ease of operation
If shoes of a shoe sorter are not moved to known positions, then sorter operation is simplified, but shoes will hit the transfer plate causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer assembly dynamically pivots to create clearance for shoe sorter operation without requiring complex positioning control. The passive pivoting capability allows shoes to operate freely while the transfer assembly automatically adjusts to avoid interference
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer assembly self-adjusts its position through passive pivoting about the shaft when subjected to forces from protrusions or shoes. This eliminates the need for active control systems to position the transfer assembly, simplifying operation while maintaining durability
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 effectively prevents damage from protrusions by allowing the transfer assembly to pop up and return to its home position, ensuring smooth article transfer and reducing the risk of articles tipping over, while maintaining alignment with the conveyor belt surface.
Implementation Method 1
A first wheel is mounted on the shaft in the pivot portion. A second wheel is rotatably mounted in the cantilevered portion to rotate about an axis parallel to the pivot axis.
Implementation Method 2
A drive belt is trained around the first wheel and the second wheel so that the second wheel rotates with the first wheel.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A conveyor system with a pop-up transfer assembly for transferring articles off the end of conveyor belt having protrusions extending above the belt's outer conveying surface. The transfer assembly is cantilevered over the reversing path of the conveyor belt from a pivot. When a protrusion from the belt hits the transfer assembly, the transfer assembly pivots away from the belt about the pivot. When the protrusion is clear, the transfer assembly drops, by gravity, back to its home position proximate the belt. A bilateral transfer assembly is cantilevered in opposite directions to transfer articles off the end of one conveyor belt onto another conveyor belt that may or may not have protrusions. The transfer assembly can have powered driving surfaces to aid the transfer of articles.