Sorting Device Carrier Coupling Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sorting device maintenance and installation processes are time-consuming and complex due to the need for extensive disassembly, particularly when replacing carriers or pusher shoes, and accessing coupling mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The sorting device employs a detachable supporting and supported part system with elongate connecting means accessible from the upper side, allowing for simple and quick maintenance and installation by decoupling the parts without requiring removal of guards or extensive disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the coupling means are made up of vertically oriented plates connected to conveyor chains and carriers, then the sorting device achieves stable carrier coupling, but maintenance operations require extensive disassembly and significant time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier coupling stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling means is divided into two separate parts: a supporting part connected to the conveyor chain and a supported part connected to the carrier. These parts can be independently detached through the opening, allowing maintenance personnel to access and replace carriers or pusher shoes without dismantling the entire coupling mechanism, thus reducing maintenance time while maintaining coupling stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the coupling means are made up of vertically oriented plates connected to conveyor chains and carriers, then the sorting device achieves stable carrier coupling, but maintenance operations require extensive disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier coupling stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling means is segmented into a supporting part and a supported part that can be independently detached. The opening in the supporting part provides direct access to the connection between the supported part and the carrier, enabling simple maintenance operations such as carrier replacement or pusher shoe adjustment without extensive disassembly, while the overall structure maintains reliable coupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the connecting means extend in a vertical plane parallel to the conveying direction, then the supported part can be accessed from the upper side for quick maintenance, but the connecting means require more complex spatial arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidconnecting means arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting means are arranged to extend in a vertical plane that is parallel to the conveying direction, utilizing the vertical dimension for access. The opening in the supporting part is positioned to allow insertion of tools or hands from above, enabling maintenance personnel to detach the supported part by manipulating the connecting means from the upper side, thus improving accessibility while the vertical arrangement manages the spatial complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2346755B1Device for sorting products
Publication Date: 2014.08.06 VANDERLANDE IND
  • EP2346755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2346755B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2346755B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a device for sorting products, comprising a frame, an endless drivable flexible conveying element (3), successive elongated carriers (2), which are each coupled to the conveying element via coupling means (4) for being conveyed in a conveying direction along an endless conveying path, which carriers (2) extend transversely to the conveying direction, and pusher elements which are each movable along a carrier (2). The coupling means (4) comprise a supporting part (5) and a supported part (6) supported by said supporting part (5), as well as connecting means (51,52) for detachably connecting the supporting part (5) and the supported part (6) together, wherein the supporting part (5) is coupled to the conveying element (3) and the supported part (6) is connected to a carrier (2), and wherein the connecting means (51,52) can be accessed from the upper side of the supported part (6) for effecting the connection between the supporting part (5) and the supported part (6).