Spreader Conveyor with Adjustable Track Spacing for Product Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for distributing sliced food products from a two-conveyor input system to a three-conveyor output system are bulky, expensive, and complex due to the need for multiple drives and controls, making them difficult to control and space-efficient.
Innovation Solution
A distribution device with a spreader conveyor having adjustable track spacing, allowing products to be transferred to any combination of output conveyor tracks without stopping, using a transversely displaceable spreader conveyor with fixed track spacing, reducing the need for multiple drives and controls, and enabling flexible adaptation to different packaging conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rockers and double conveyors or several transversely displaceable distribution conveyors are used to achieve two-to-three distribution, then the distribution function is accomplished, but the device takes up a relatively large amount of space and requires a large number of drives and controls making it expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader conveyor is divided into multiple conveyor tracks (at least three adjacent tracks) with different track spacing configurations. The input side has track spacing matching the input conveyor, while the output side has at least one pair of tracks with doubled track spacing. This segmentation allows different track pairs to handle different distribution patterns simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader conveyor is designed to perform multiple distribution functions using a single device. By having at least one pair of adjacent tracks with doubled track spacing and other pairs with normal spacing, it can distribute products to various combinations of output conveyor tracks (e.g., to the two outer tracks or to the middle and one outer track) without requiring separate specialized devices for each distribution pattern.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drives and controls are used in traditional distribution devices, then various distribution patterns can be achieved, but the production and operation costs become relatively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple distribution functions are merged into a single spreader conveyor device. Instead of using separate rockers, double conveyors, or multiple transversely displaceable distribution conveyors, all distribution patterns are achieved within one integrated spreader conveyor that has multiple conveyor tracks with different spacing configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spreader conveyor is designed as a universal distribution device that can handle various distribution patterns (distributing to outer tracks, to middle and outer tracks, etc.) using a single structure with fixed track spacing, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and their associated drives and controls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If components of the spreading conveyor are moved towards one another to change track spacing, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of operators getting trapped increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving conveyor components towards each other to change track spacing (which creates safety hazards), the invention inverts the approach by having fixed track spacing from the beginning. The adaptability is achieved not by changing the physical distance between tracks, but by having multiple predetermined track spacing configurations built into the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates safety concerns by eliminating the moving mechanism that could trap operators. The track spacing is fixed beforehand in multiple configurations, removing the need for dynamic adjustment during operation and thus preventing the harmful effect of moving parts converging towards each other.
4Manufacturing precision
If individual products are stopped on the spreader conveyor to achieve certain lane combinations, then precise distribution is possible, but the product flow is interrupted reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader conveyor is pre-configured with multiple conveyor tracks having different fixed track spacing arrangements. This preliminary configuration allows products to be distributed to different output lane combinations simply by selecting which track pair receives the products, without needing to stop or individually position products during the conveying process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for distributing a stream of products (11) comprises an infeed conveyor (13), an outfeed conveyor (15) and a distribution device (27) arranged between the infeed conveyor (13) and the outfeed conveyor (15).The distribution device has a spreader conveyor (17) that is displaceable at least sectionally transversely to the conveying direction (F) and has at least three adjacent conveying tracks (22a-22d), wherein on the input side the track spacing (D) of adjacent conveying tracks (22a-d) of the spreader conveyor (17) corresponds to the track spacing (D) of the two conveying tracks (20a-20b) of the input conveyor (13) and wherein on the output side the track spacing (D) of one pair of adjacent conveying tracks (22a-22d) of the spreader conveyor (17) corresponds to a track spacing (D) of the conveying tracks (21a-21c) of the output conveyor (15) and the track spacing (D) of the other pair of adjacent conveying tracks (22a-22d) of the spreader conveyor (17) is increased compared to a track spacing (D) of the conveying tracks (21a-21c) of the output conveyor (15).