Slide Rail Assembly for Controlled Pallet Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer path technologies, such as gravity-fed roller conveyors and powered conveyors, face issues with inconsistent and uncontrolled movement of objects, leading to increased lead times and costs due to the need for manual operation and potential errors in indexing pallets.
Innovation Solution
A slide rail assembly comprising a rail, a slide arm, and a finger, where the slide arm is slidably connected to the rail and movable between retracted and extended positions, with the finger engaging and disengaging with objects to ensure consistent and controlled movement along a transfer path, allowing for precise indexing without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If gravity fed roller conveyors are used to move pallets, then the movement is automatic without manual intervention, but the movement is uncontrolled and results in inconsistent indexing of pallets
Solution Approach 1:
A slide arm acts as an intermediary mechanism between the automatic gravity-fed system and the pallets. The slide arm engages with pallets at controlled intervals, providing the missing control element that enables consistent indexing while maintaining automatic operation. The slide arm translates the uncontrolled gravitational movement into controlled, periodic indexing actions.
2Manufacturing precision
If powered conveyors with motors are used to transfer pallets, then consistent indexing can be achieved, but the system requires manual operation to start and stop the motor, increasing lead time and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The slide arm system is self-actuating through gravity, eliminating the need for manual motor operation. The system uses the weight of the pallets themselves to drive the slide arm mechanism, which automatically engages and disengages at appropriate intervals. This self-service approach maintains consistent indexing without requiring operator intervention to start or stop the system.
3Force
If powered conveyors are used to move pallets, then controlled movement is achieved, but the system is costly and requires increase in lead time due to manual motor actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex powered mechanical system (motors, controls, actuators) with a simpler gravity-based mechanical system. The slide arm mechanism uses gravitational force and mechanical leverage to achieve controlled movement without requiring powered components. This substitution maintains the ability to control pallet movement while significantly reducing system complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A slide rail assembly for moving an object on a transfer path, includes a rail, a slide arm, and a finger. The rail extends in a transfer direction of the transfer path. The slide arm is slidably connected to the rail. The slide arm is moveable in the transfer direction between a retracted position and an extended position. The finger is connected to the slide arm. The finger is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position upon movement of the slide arm between the retracted position and the extended position. In the engaged position the finger is engaged with the object such that upon movement of the slide arm from the retracted position towards the extended position the object is moved in the transfer direction along the transfer path.