Segmented Conveyor Roller Lateral Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts in positioning and transfer assemblies often suffer from 'conical configuration' imperfections, leading to uneven tension and deformation, which results in positional inaccuracies and errors in object placement, especially in applications requiring high precision like inkjet printing.
Innovation Solution
The assembly features a conveyor belt with longitudinally divided rollers and a tensioning system that allows independent movement of roller ends to adapt to conical configurations, maintaining constant tension and minimizing positional errors through controllable magnets and adjustable mounting parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the conveyor belt is used to transport objects with high precision, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the belt is susceptible to conical configuration imperfections causing uneven tension and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is divided into multiple longitudinal segments that can move independently relative to each other in the length direction of the conveyor belt. This segmentation allows each segment to adjust to local tension variations caused by conical configuration, maintaining overall belt tension uniformity while preserving high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting parts are designed to allow the roller ends to move dynamically in the length direction in response to tension differences. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to compensate for conical configuration imperfections continuously, maintaining reliable belt tension and precise positioning throughout operation.
2Reliability
If the roller is divided into longitudinal segments to compensate for conical configuration, then belt tension uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is segmented into multiple longitudinal sections that can move independently. While this increases structural complexity, the segmentation enables effective compensation for conical configuration, maintaining belt tension uniformity and preventing deformation that would otherwise require more complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller segments and mounting parts work together to automatically compensate for conical configuration without requiring external control systems. The segments self-adjust their positions in response to tension variations, reducing the need for complex active control mechanisms while maintaining reliable belt tension.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting parts allow movement of roller ends in the length direction, then adaptability to conical configuration is improved, but positioning stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting parts enable dynamic movement of roller ends in the length direction to adapt to conical configuration. This dynamic capability is coupled with constraints that prevent excessive movement, ensuring the system adapts to tension variations while maintaining positioning stability within acceptable tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows controlled changes in the position parameters of the roller ends in the length direction to accommodate conical configuration. These parameter changes are limited by the mounting part design, ensuring that positioning stability is maintained while achieving necessary adaptability to tension uniformity.
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 ensures accurate positioning and transfer of objects with precision better than ±10 µm by compensating for tension variations and deformations, maintaining consistent belt tension and engagement with rollers, thereby enhancing the overall accuracy and stability of the conveyor belt system.
Implementation Method 1
the first roller is longitudinally divided into at least two, such as three or four, longitudinal segments and said first lateral actuator is arranged to move at least one of the longitudinal segments of the first roller parallel to the rotational axis of the first roller with respect to another of said longitudinal segments of the first roller
Implementation Method 2
an actuator system for moving the conveyor belt in a lateral direction with respect to the frame, wherein the actuator system comprises a first lateral actuator arranged to move at least a part of the first roller in a direction parallel to the rotational axes of the first roller
Implementation Method 3
the first and the second lateral actuator comprises at least two controllable magnets, each positioned at one lateral side of the longitudinal segments, wherein the controllable magnets are positioned in front of at least a part of a trajectory of the metal plates, wherein a strength of the magnetic force of the magnets on the metal plates on both lateral sides are controllable such that the longitudinal segment is moved by the magnets in the lateral direction and back
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A positioning assembly is provided with an endless loop conveyor belt for transporting an object and a first and second roller (12) arranged inside the endless loop. A mounting is provided for mounting the first and second roller to a frame (15). A first mounting part connected to a first end of the first roller (12) and a second mounting part connected to a second end of the first roller (12) are independently movable in a length direction of the conveyor with respect to the frame (15). An actuator system is provided which comprises a first lateral actuator (61) arranged to move at least a part of the first roller (12) in a direction parallel to the rotational axes (106) of the first roller (12). The first roller (12) is longitudinally divided into at least two longitudinal segments. The first lateral actuator (61) moves at least one of the longitudinal segments parallel to the rotational axis (106) of the first roller (12).