Reversible Conveyor Belt for Center of Gravity Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing center of gravity sorters require frequent and costly replacements of conveyor belts or driver strips to accommodate different container closure geometries, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The conveyor belt can be reversed to switch between two support surfaces of different widths, allowing the same belt to be used for multiple object types by adjusting the support surface in the transport direction, and the inclination of the sorting conveyor can be adjusted to ensure proper orientation sorting without needing additional parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the conveyor belt is replaced to accommodate different container closure geometries, then the sorting device can handle different object types, but the replacement process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is designed with movable sections that can be dynamically adjusted between different configurations. The belt includes a first run with first carriers and a second run with second carriers, where the carriers can be selectively positioned or swapped without replacing the entire belt, enabling dynamic adaptation to different container closure types while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt is divided into multiple segments or runs, with each run having carriers designed for specific object types. This segmentation allows individual sections to be adjusted or exchanged independently, reducing the time and cost associated with replacing the entire conveyor belt when switching between different container closure geometries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional conveyor belts are kept on hand for different object types, then the sorting device can quickly adapt to different geometries, but the device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is designed as a multi-functional system that can handle multiple types of container closures through its adjustable carrier configurations. Instead of requiring separate dedicated belts for different object types, a single universal belt design with interchangeable or adjustable carriers provides the necessary versatility, reducing the total number of belts needed in the inventory.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the carrier spacing is adjusted to fit different object diameters, then the sorting device can accommodate various container closure sizes, but the adjustment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier spacing on the conveyor belt is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The carriers can be selectively positioned at different intervals along the belt, allowing the spacing to be adapted to match the diameter of different container closure types. This dynamic adjustment mechanism simplifies the process compared to requiring multiple belts with fixed different spacings.
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 solution allows for adaptable sorting of container closures with different diameters and center of mass positions without replacing the conveyor belt, improving efficiency and reducing costs by enabling the use of a single conveyor belt for multiple object types and enhancing the sorting accuracy through adjustable inclination.
Implementation Method 1
Incorrectly oriented container closures, i.e., those whose bottoms are facing away from the surface of the conveyor belt, fall off the carrier bars in the sorting and steep conveyor section of the continuous conveyor and return to the loading section.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for sorting and transporting at least two types of objects, for example container closures with different diameters, comprising a continuous conveyor with a conveyor belt which runs in a conveying direction. The conveyor belt has a plurality of carriers for the objects, said carriers being designed as profiled strips, and the conveyor belt first runs through a loading part and then through a sorting and steep conveying part, which conveys the objects upwards, in the conveying direction. Each profiled strip has a first and a second support surface, said support surfaces having different dimensions. The conveyor belt can be selectively used in a first or second running direction in the continuous conveyor such that in the first running direction of the conveyor belt, the first support surface is the front support surface in the conveying direction and in the second running direction of the conveyor belt, the second support surface is the front support surface in the conveying direction. No changeover part in the form of another conveyor belt must be provided in order to sort the at least two object types. It is only necessary to uninstall the conveyor belt and mount same on the continuous conveyor in the opposite running direction.