Profiled Roller Conveyor Ejector for Tray Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roller conveyor systems with ejection devices struggle to efficiently handle and eject smaller piece goods, such as trays, without requiring dual-sided roller drives and additional bearing points, as the deflectors are too short to accommodate these items without risking bending or goods falling through gaps.

Innovation Solution

The rollers are profiled to have a smaller cross-section at deflector plate areas, allowing deflector plates to fit between rollers, with recesses and a tapered design ensuring continuous operation with single-sided roller drives and reduced bearing points, and pneumatically controlled deflector plates for adjustable ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the length of deflectors is increased to handle smaller trays, then the ability to eject smaller goods is improved, but the risk of deflector bending increases due to increased moment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to eject smaller goodsVSAvoiddeflector bending resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The roller conveyor is divided into two distinct regions: a first region with rollers of first diameter and a second region with rollers of second (smaller) diameter. This segmentation allows deflectors to be positioned in the second region where smaller roller diameter creates sufficient gap for deflector insertion without requiring excessive deflector length, thereby maintaining deflector strength while enabling ejection of smaller goods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different roller diameters are applied to different regions of the conveyor based on local requirements. The first region uses larger rollers for stable transport of various goods, while the second region uses smaller rollers specifically where deflectors need to be inserted to enable ejection of smaller trays without causing deflector bending.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If deflectors are extended vertically upwards from the roller conveyor, then the ejection capability is improved, but the roller conveyor must be separated requiring dual-sided drives and additional bearing points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection capabilityVSAvoidroller conveyor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The roller conveyor is segmented into regions with different roller diameters rather than being completely separated. This allows the conveyor to maintain continuity through the deflector insertion region while providing the necessary gap for deflectors, avoiding the need for dual-sided drives and additional bearing points that would result from complete separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The roller diameter parameter is changed locally in the second region to create sufficient gap for deflector insertion. This parameter change enables deflector extension without requiring structural separation of the conveyor, thus maintaining single-sided drive configuration and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If rollers are arranged at larger distances to accommodate deflectors, then the space for deflector insertion is improved, but smaller goods run sluggishly and may fall through or get caught

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace between rollersVSAvoidgoods transport stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Larger roller spacing is applied locally only in the second region where deflectors need to be inserted, while the first region maintains smaller roller spacing for stable transport of goods. This localized approach provides necessary deflector insertion space without compromising goods transport stability in other regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor is divided into regions with different roller spacing characteristics. The first region has tighter roller spacing for reliable goods transport, while the second region has larger spacing specifically where deflectors are inserted, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in different locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration enables seamless ejection of both crates and trays without dual-sided roller drives, reducing noise and preventing goods from getting stuck or falling, while maintaining roller conveyor continuity and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the deflector plate having is provided with a lifting device for raising and lowering the deflector plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical lifting: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the rollers of the roller conveyor be profiled in the area of the deflector plates in such a way that the deflector plates can enter between the rollers, with the rollers in the area of the deflector plates having a smaller cross section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric profiling: Geometry

Implementation Method 3

the deflector plates have recesses running in the lifting direction and arranged in the area of the rollers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric recess design: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP2567914B1Roller conveyor with an ejector
Publication Date: 2015.09.02 RECOP ELEKTRONIC
  • EP2567914B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The roller conveyor (1) has a removal device that is arranged with several deflectors (15-26) which are extended along the transverse direction. The deflector is provided with a rejection plate (15a) which is provided with a pneumatic drive unit (35) for raising and lowering the rejection plate. Rollers (2) are arranged in the region of main portion, such that rejection plate is immersed between the rollers.