Telescoping Motorized Conveyor Roller for Variable-Width Handling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motorized roller apparatuses for conveyor systems face challenges in adaptability and flexibility, limiting their ability to handle objects of varying sizes and configurations efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller with a housing assembly that allows for adjustable width through a telescoping configuration, facilitated by a housing adjustment assembly that moves housing components laterally to transition between nominal and expanded states, controlled by a motor assembly and controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional motorized roller apparatuses are used with fixed housing structure, then manufacturing and installation are simple, but adaptability to handle objects of varying sizes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing assembly is divided into multiple coaxial housing components (first outer housing component, first intermediate housing component, central housing component, second intermediate housing component, second outer housing component) that can move independently relative to each other, enabling the roller width to be adjusted in segments to match different object sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing components are designed to be dynamically reconfigurable through the housing adjustment assembly, which moves the intermediate and outer housing components laterally relative to the central housing component, transforming the fixed structure into an adjustable one that adapts to varying conveyor requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the roller width is fixed, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility to handle different object configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The housing assembly transitions from a static fixed-width structure to a dynamic reconfigurable structure where intermediate and outer housing components can laterally move relative to the central housing component, allowing the roller to adapt its width while maintaining structural integrity through controlled mechanical connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The housing components are arranged in a nested telescoping configuration where intermediate housing components are disposed within outer housing components, and the central housing component is at the core, allowing compact storage in the nominal configuration and expanded deployment when width adjustment is needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple housing components are used for width adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroller reconfigurabilityVSAvoidnumber of housing components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple housing components are nested within each other in a telescoping arrangement, with the central housing component at the core, intermediate components surrounding it, and outer components providing the final housing structure. This nested design allows multiple components to occupy minimal space in the nominal configuration while enabling width adjustment when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing adjustment assembly serves multiple functions: it moves the intermediate housing components laterally, connects the outer housing components to the central housing component, and enables the roller to transition between nominal and expanded configurations, reducing the need for separate adjustment mechanisms for each component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12503314B2Reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller and method of using the same

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments are directed to reconfigurable motorized conveyor rollers and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, a reconfigurable motorized conveyor roller comprises a housing assembly defining a roller width defined between a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end; and a housing adjustment assembly disposed within the housing assembly that is operable to adjust the roller width by facilitating a configuration of the housing assembly between a nominal configuration and an expanded configuration; wherein the housing assembly comprises a plurality of coaxial housing components configured for movement relative to one another in one or more lateral directions, and wherein the housing adjustment assembly is operable to cause at least a portion of the plurality of housing components to move in the one or more lateral directions to selectively configure the housing assembly between the nominal configuration and the expanded configuration.