Rotating Deflection Elements for Compact Product Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices for products, such as conveyor belts, are limited in their ability to deflect products from a straight path to a curved path, requiring significant space and being costly due to the need for complex mechanisms to achieve curved paths.
Innovation Solution
A deflection device with a first element rotatably mounted about a first axis and a second element rotatably mounted about a second axis, where the axes enclose an angle, creating a deflection area that uses inertia to redirect products by rotating the elements, allowing for reliable deflection without the need for extensive space or complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conveyor belts are designed with a curved shape to transport products along curved paths, then the transport path can be curved, but the device requires a lot of space and is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamically rotating elements (first and second rotatable elements) instead of a fixed curved conveyor belt. These elements can rotate about different axes and adjust their orientation to guide products along curved paths, eliminating the need for a permanently curved structure that would occupy significant space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational movement in multiple dimensions through elements that rotate about different axes. The first element rotates about a first axis while the second element rotates about a second axis, creating three-dimensional product trajectories that achieve curved transport without requiring large horizontal or vertical spaces.
2Shape
If conveyor belts are designed with a curved shape to transport products along curved paths, then the transport path can be curved, but the device is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than manufacturing expensive fixed curved conveyor belts, the patent uses simpler rotating elements with variable orientation. These elements can be manufactured as standard cylindrical components that rotate about different axes, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the same curved transport function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (rotation axes, rotation speeds, element orientations) rather than changing the physical structure. By varying these parameters, the same simple rotating elements can create different curved paths, eliminating the need for expensive custom-shaped conveyor belts for each specific path requirement.
3Ease of operation
If conventional deflection devices with rotatable elements are used, then products can be deflected, but the device requires significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The second rotatable element is positioned within or adjacent to the first rotatable element, with their rotation paths overlapping. This nested arrangement allows both elements to occupy the same or overlapping spatial volumes, achieving product deflection through coordinated rotation while minimizing the overall footprint of the deflection device.
Solution Approach 2:
By having elements rotate about different axes (first axis and second axis) rather than parallel axes, the invention creates deflection in three-dimensional space. This allows products to be redirected through angular changes without requiring large linear distances, compressing the device footprint while maintaining full deflection functionality.
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 reliable deflection of products in a compact space, reducing space and cost requirements while maintaining high transport speeds, as products are redirected within the deflection area due to centripetal force and then exit due to inertia, allowing for efficient and cost-effective transport route configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a product fed to the deflection area can be deflected in the deflection area by rotation of the first and second elements and, after passing the deflection area, can leave the deflection device due to inertia
Implementation Method 2
the centripetal force acting on the products during their movement along the deflection zone can cause them to be deflected
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a deflection device for a transport device for transporting products, wherein the deflection device comprises a first element rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation and a second element rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation, wherein the axes of rotation enclose an angle with each other and the first and second elements overlap in an area such that the first and second elements enclose a deflection area, wherein a product fed to the deflection area can be deflected in the deflection area by rotation of the first and second elements and can leave the deflection device after passing the deflection area due to inertia.