Sorting Device Shoe Segmentation for Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article sorting devices often damage shoes due to sliding resistance, leading to unreliable sorting as the shoes may not slide smoothly along the slats, causing engagement issues and preventing articles from being reliably pressed and moved onto branch routes.
Innovation Solution
The article sorting device positions sliding sections at both ends and lower ends of the slats, with sliding protrusions and opposite protrusions to reduce moment and friction, allowing shoes to slide stably and smoothly, thereby preventing damage and ensuring reliable sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shoes slide relative to slats in the longitudinal direction to press articles onto branch routes, then article sorting function is achieved, but excessive moment from pressing force and reactive force damages the shoes
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe is divided into multiple sliding sections (first sliding section and second sliding section) positioned at different locations along the slat. This segmentation distributes the sliding resistance and moment forces across multiple contact points, preventing excessive stress concentration that would damage the shoe structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding sections are positioned not only at different longitudinal positions but also at different lateral positions (both ends of the shoe in the width direction). This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions creates a more balanced force system that reduces the damaging moment effect while maintaining effective article pressing capability.
2Ease of operation
If shoes are pressed by branch guide member to convert direction onto branch route, then article sorting is enabled, but moment from pressing force and reactive force causes shoe damage
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe structure is segmented into multiple sliding sections that contact the slat at different locations. This segmentation allows the shoe to distribute the moment forces generated during directional conversion across multiple support points, reducing the stress on any single structural element and preventing damage while maintaining sorting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple sliding sections act as pre-positioned support points that cushion the shoe against moment forces before damage can occur. By distributing the reactive forces from article pressing across multiple sections, the structure inherently protects itself from excessive stress that would compromise structural integrity.
3Reliability
If damaged shoes remain in sorting equipment, then engagement members cannot engage with shoes to convert direction, but shoes may still function for pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe is segmented into multiple sliding sections, each providing independent contact points with the slat. This segmentation ensures that even if one section experiences wear or damage, the other sections maintain engagement capability, preserving both the pressing function and the directional conversion function through engagement members.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed sliding sections provide redundant support that cushions the system against failure. If one section becomes damaged, the remaining sections continue to provide stable engagement, preventing complete failure of the sorting operation and allowing the shoe to remain functional despite localized wear.
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 configuration reduces the likelihood of shoe damage and ensures stable, smooth sliding, enabling reliable sorting of articles onto branch routes by minimizing moment and friction, ensuring effective article transfer.
Implementation Method 1
sliding resistance when the shoes slide relative to the slats in the longitudinal direction of the slats
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In an article sorting device (10) including a plurality of slats (article support bodies) (14) overlaying between a pair of endless chains (endless rotation bodies) (12) arranged along a main conveyance route (40), slats (14) having a longitudinal direction at a right angle to the main conveyance route (40), and shoes (article lateral pressing bodies) (16) fitted onto the slats (14) slidably in the longitudinal direction of the slats (14), and guided by a branch guide member (42) provided in a fixed direction relative to the main conveyance route (40), sliding sections (18) for each of the shoes (16) slidably in contact with each of the slats (14) are positioned in the vicinity of both left and right ends in a sectional view relative to the longitudinal direction of the slats (14), and the sliding sections (18) are positioned in the vicinity of a lower end in the sectional view.