Slab Transfer System With Interposed Belts For Kiln Outlet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transfer systems for slab-shaped articles from firing kilns face issues with productivity due to the risk of damage from impacts during transfer, especially for larger or heavier articles, which necessitates reducing conveyor velocities, thereby compromising efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A transfer system comprising a dual conveyor setup with interposed belts and raising elements allows for the separation and extraction of slab-shaped articles with high velocities, minimizing the risk of damage by lifting and transferring articles laterally and downstream, enabling efficient handling of articles regardless of size or weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the extraction belt velocity is increased to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but the risk of damage to heavier slab-shaped articles increases due to impacts during transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction belt velocityVSAvoidimpact damage to articles
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transfer belt as an intermediary element between the roller conveyor and the extraction belt. This transfer belt with raising elements acts as a mediator that gradually lifts the slab-shaped articles from the lower roller conveyor level to the higher extraction belt level, preventing direct impact and enabling high-velocity operation without damage to heavier articles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The raising elements on the transfer belt perform preliminary lifting action before the articles reach the extraction belt. By raising the articles in advance during their transfer across the interleaved belt region, the system prepares them for high-velocity extraction without subjecting them to damaging impacts at the critical transfer point

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If upper abutment rollers are used to maintain article parallelism during transfer, then article stability is improved, but the transfer process becomes more complex and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle parallelism during transferVSAvoidtransfer velocity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the upper abutment rollers from the system entirely. Instead of using rollers to maintain article parallelism, the system relies on the interposing transfer belt and raising elements to control the transfer process, simplifying the mechanism and enabling higher transfer velocities without compromising article stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer belt serves as an intermediary that replaces the function of upper abutment rollers. By providing a controlled lifting and transfer mechanism through the interleaved belt system, articles maintain proper orientation and stability during transfer without requiring additional constraining rollers that would limit velocity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3941860B1A transfer system of slab-shaped articles in outlet from a firing kiln
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 SACMI TECH SPA
  • EP3941860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3941860B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3941860B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

The transfer system (100) of slab-shaped articles (L) in outlet from a firing kiln comprises: a roller (10) conveyor (1), for conveying the rows of slab-shaped articles (L) in outlet from the firing kiln towards a first conveyor (2) which comprises a first series of belts (20) wound in a loop arranged parallel to one another, which is arranged at a terminal portion (11) of the roller (10) conveyor (1) so that the relative belts (20) are interposed between adjacent rollers (10) of the roller conveyor, and which is predisposed to transfer the rows (F) of slab-shaped articles (L) laterally to the roller (10) conveyor (1). The transfer system (100) further comprises a second conveyor (3), comprising a second series of belts (30) loop-closed and arranged parallel to one another, the first conveyor (2) and the second conveyor (3) being mutually arranged in such a way that the portions of the first series of belts (20) in proximity of the final part of the first conveyor (2) and the portions of the second series of belts (30) in proximity of the initial part of the second conveyor (3) are flanked and parallel to one another, and reciprocally interposed. The second conveyor (3) is predisposed to received, from the first conveyor (2), an article from the row of articles and to separate the article from the row and transfer it downstream.