Tiltable Web Transporter for Friction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport devices for standing objects, such as containers and bottles, face challenges in controlling container flow effectively and reducing friction losses, which affects efficiency and maintenance requirements.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with a web system and lifting mechanism that allows continuous tilting and adjustment of the support plane relative to the transport plane, using rollers to minimize friction and enable secure standing of objects, and adjustable actuators for precise control of the transport and support levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If brake elements or brake strips are used to stop objects on the conveyor, then individual objects can be lifted off the transport surface, but friction losses increase and maintenance effort increases due to lubricant requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject stopping controlVSAvoidfriction losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the braking function from the continuous conveyor surface by introducing discrete, elevatable brake elements that can be raised only when and where needed. This allows individual objects to be stopped without creating continuous friction along the entire conveyor path, thereby reducing overall friction losses and energy consumption while maintaining effective object control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The brake elements are designed to be dynamically elevatable and lowerable, transitioning between a retracted position (parallel to the transport surface) and an active braking position. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to minimize friction during normal transport while enabling effective stopping when required, resolving the contradiction between operational control and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If brake elements are raised parallel to and across the transport direction, then individual objects can be stopped, but the system complexity increases with hydraulic or pneumatic requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual object stoppingVSAvoidhydraulic or pneumatic system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake elements are designed to elevate and lower themselves through the application and release of braking force on the object. When an object contacts the raised brake element, the object's own motion provides the force to push the brake element upward, and when the object is stopped, the brake element naturally returns to its lowered position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external hydraulic or pneumatic systems while maintaining effective individual object stopping capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If lifting units with brake strips are arranged one behind the other, then several packaged goods can be stopped without accumulating pressure, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-object stopping capabilityVSAvoidmultiple lifting units arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each brake element is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple objects sequentially. The brake element remains in place and can be activated repeatedly to stop different objects passing by, eliminating the need for multiple separate lifting units arranged in sequence. This multi-functional design maintains the capability to stop several packaged goods while reducing device complexity and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If continuous conveyor operates without interruption, then transport efficiency is maintained, but friction losses and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous transport efficiencyVSAvoidcontinuous friction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The brake elements operate periodically rather than continuously, elevating only when an object requires stopping and remaining lowered during normal transport. This periodic activation allows the continuous conveyor to maintain high transport efficiency while minimizing friction losses to only the brief moments when braking is actually needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between continuous operation efficiency and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 solution enhances the versatility and cost-effectiveness of transport devices by reducing friction losses, improving object stability, and allowing for better control of container flow, leading to energy savings and reduced maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

A lifting device is provided with which the tilting of the support plane of the web relative to the transport plane of the at least one transport device can be changed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical tilting:

Implementation Method 2

the individual links of the link chains used can have rollers on which the link chains can roll over tracks in the frame structure of the transport device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling friction: Roller

Implementation Method 3

In order to minimize the resulting friction losses, special lubricants are used depending on the application

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

The braking elements are preferably arranged parallel to the transport direction and can be raised parallel to and across the transport direction via a suitable hydraulic or pneumatic system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 5

The braking elements are preferably arranged parallel to the transport direction and can be raised parallel to and across the transport direction via a suitable hydraulic or pneumatic system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic actuation:

Implementation Method 6

The braking elements can therefore be used to lift individual objects from the transport surface of the conveyor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction force: Friction

Implementation Method 7

The braking elements can therefore be used to lift individual objects from the transport surface of the conveyor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNormal force: Force

Data Source

PatentEP3288869B1Transporter having a tiltable web
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 HEUFT SYSTTECHN GMBH
  • EP3288869B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3288869B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3288869B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for transporting stationary objects, such as containers, bottles, multipacks, packaged items, which comprises at least one transporting device (12) having a first conveying speed and defines a transport plane (15) for the standing transport of the objects (16), at least one web (14) arranged parallel to the transporting device (12), wherein the upper side of the web (14) defines a support plane (18) and wherein the web (14) has a length which is at least equal to double the diameter of the deck surface of the objects (16) to be transported, and at least a lifting device (22), by which the relative tilting of the support plane (18) of the web (14) relative to the transport plane (15) of the at least one transporting device (12) can be changed, wherein the lifting device (22) allows a step-free tilting of the web (14) and/or transporting device (12), so that the horizontal position of an intersection line between the support plane (18) and the transport plane (15) is continuously adjustable. The invention also relates to a corresponding method for transporting objects.