Right-Angle Transfer Conveyor for Stable Orthogonal Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing right-angle transfer devices in conveyor systems face issues with improper transfer of conveyance objects, leading to potential collapse or failure in changing conveyance directions, especially when transitioning between orthogonal conveyor parts.

Innovation Solution

A right-angle transfer device with a first conveyance part, a second conveyance part, and a movement mechanism that allows for orthogonal conveyance surfaces, featuring an obstructing member to prevent conveyance on the second part when necessary, ensuring stable transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the conveyance surfaces are moved in opposite directions to enable direction change, then the conveyance direction can be changed, but the conveyance object may collapse or fail during transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance direction changeVSAvoidtransfer stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The movement mechanism moves the first conveyance surface and the second conveyance surface in opposite directions along the normal direction of the first conveyance surface before the conveyance object is transferred. This preliminary action creates proper spatial separation and positioning, ensuring that the conveyance object is securely transferred between surfaces without collapse or failure during the direction change process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the second conveyance part is always available for conveyance, then conveyance flexibility is improved, but unintended conveyance occurs when the first conveyance part is active

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance flexibilityVSAvoidconveyance control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The obstructing member is configured to obstruct the conveyance of the second conveyance part when the first conveyance part is active. This preliminary anti-action prevents unintended conveyance on the second part by creating a physical barrier that blocks the conveyance path, ensuring that only the intended conveyance part operates at any given time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

Enables stable and appropriate transfer of conveyance objects between orthogonal conveyor parts by preventing unintended conveyance on the second part, reducing the risk of object collapse or failure during direction changes.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of roller tubes arranged side by side in the frame along the other direction and rotatably pivotally supported by the frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

at least one roller tube of the plurality of roller tubes includes a motor that is arranged inside the roller tube and generates a drive force for rotating the roller tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a conveyance belt stretched over the plurality of pulleys

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

a conveyance belt stretched over the plurality of pulleys

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP4474317B1Right-angled transfer device
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 KYOWA MFG
  • EP4474317B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1E
  • EP4474317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4474317B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A right angle transfer device of the present invention includes: a first conveyance part that forms a first conveyance surface and conveys, in the one direction, the conveyance object placed on the first conveyance surface; a second conveyance part that forms a second conveyance surface different from the first conveyance surface and conveys, in the other direction, the conveyance object placed on the second conveyance surface; and a movement mechanism that moves the first and second conveyance parts so as to move the first conveyance surface and the second conveyance surface in opposite directions to each other along a normal direction of the first conveyance surface, in which each of the first and second conveyance parts stops the conveyance from start to end of the movement by the movement mechanism, and the first conveyance part includes an obstructing member that obstructs the conveyance of the second conveyance part.