Shuttle Transfer Device for Hanging Products on Support Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for hanging products on free support rods are structurally complex, costly, and lack precision due to multiple hooking mechanisms and continuous conveyor systems, leading to inaccurate and unreliable product placement.
Innovation Solution
A simplified transfer device using a single mobile shuttle with intermittent motion along a straight track, allowing products to be released stationary onto the rod, reducing complexity and dependency on product weight and velocity, and minimizing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple hooking mechanisms with continuous motion are used to transfer products, then productivity is maintained, but device complexity increases and manufacturing precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate hooking mechanisms into a single mobile shuttle that performs all hooking operations. This single shuttle integrates the functions of multiple hooks, distance mechanisms, and release operations into one unified device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining continuous product transfer capability
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile shuttle dynamically adjusts its position and motion along the support rod to perform hooking operations at different locations. Instead of having multiple fixed hooking mechanisms, the single shuttle moves dynamically to serve multiple positions, reducing the number of components while maintaining productivity
2Productivity
If continuous motion conveyor is used for product transfer, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision of product placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile shuttle operates with periodic intermittent motion along the support rod, stopping at predetermined positions to release products. This periodic stopping allows for precise product placement at specific locations while maintaining overall continuous transfer operation, resolving the conflict between continuous productivity and placement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-determines the release positions of the mobile shuttle along the support rod before actual product transfer begins. By establishing these predetermined positions in advance, the system ensures accurate product placement while maintaining efficient continuous operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hooking mechanisms with oscillating motion are used, then product release flexibility is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The single mobile shuttle is designed to perform multiple functions: it hooks products, transports them along the rod, and releases them at various positions. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized mechanisms, reducing construction complexity and cost while maintaining the flexibility needed for versatile product release operations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
The apparatus comprises: a supply line (10) of products (P), provided with support means (11), able to support the products (P) hung by the hanging strings (P1), the first support means (11) being conformed such as to maintain an eyelet of the hanging string (P1) open; a loading station (20) of the products (P) onto the support rods having constraint means (22, 23, 24) able to support a support rod (R') at a time in a fixed position; a transfer device (40), operating with an alternating motion, able to transfer the products (P), one at a time in succession, from the supply line (10) to the support rod (R') supported in the loading station (20). The transfer device (40) comprises: a sliding track (45) parallel to the support rod (R') supported in the loading station; a shuttle (41) with an outward run and a return run along the track (45), from the supply line to any point of the support rod (R'), which bears a second support means (42) conformed such as to supportingly receive the hanging string (P1) of a product and keep the eyelet of the string (P1) open such that the string can be inserted about the support rod (R').