Tilted Conveyor With Roller Guide For Parcel Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for rapid delivery of small to mid-sized parcels and packages due to internet and mail order shopping necessitates an efficient and effective distribution system that can quickly transport, sort, and distribute a growing volume of articles.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with a tilted conveying surface and a guide comprising rollers for low-friction rolling contact, allowing for efficient movement and halting of articles, featuring a curved and endless conveyor belt with a brake mechanism to manage article flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional horizontal conveyor is used, then articles can be conveyed with simple structure, but articles cannot be quickly transported and distributed to meet increasing delivery demands
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor surface is tilted at an angle rather than being horizontal, creating a dynamic conveying mechanism that uses gravity to accelerate articles. This dynamic configuration allows faster transport speeds while maintaining control through the angled surface design
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor includes a curved section that transitions between different tilt angles, allowing articles to be smoothly redirected and accelerated. The curvature enables the conveyor to meet delivery demands by creating efficient transport paths through strategic angling
2Productivity
If articles are conveyed on a tilted surface, then conveyance speed increases, but articles may slide or lose orientation control
Solution Approach 1:
Rollers are introduced as intermediary elements between the tilted conveyor surface and the articles. These rollers provide low-friction contact that prevents sliding while maintaining the speed benefits of the tilted surface, and they help preserve article orientation through controlled rolling motion
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct friction-based contact with rolling contact mechanics. By substituting sliding friction with rolling friction through the use of rollers, the system maintains article stability and orientation while preserving the high-speed conveyance enabled by the tilted surface
3Ease of operation
If a brake mechanism is added to halt articles, then article flow control improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilted conveyor surface inherently provides flow control through gravity, eliminating the need for complex mechanical braking systems. The angle of the surface naturally regulates article movement, allowing the system to self-manage flow without additional complexity-inducing components
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
The system enables efficient and controlled conveyance of articles, ensuring rapid distribution while maintaining article orientation and position, accommodating increased delivery demands with enhanced low-friction rolling contact and flexible belt operation.
Implementation Method 1
A guide extends along the conveyor for engaging the articles being conveyed by the conveyor, and includes at least one roller for providing low-friction rolling contact for the articles being conveyed by the conveyor
Implementation Method 2
A conveyor having a tilted conveying surface for supporting the articles being conveyed
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor system is for intended use in conjunction with the conveyance of articles, such as for being sorted for downstream processing. The system comprises a conveyor, which may be an endless conveyor including a forward run and a return run. The conveyor may have a tilted conveying surface for supporting the articles being conveyed. A low friction guide extends along the conveyor for engaging the articles being conveyed by the conveyor, which may include rollers for providing rolling contact for the articles during conveyance. Related methods are also disclosed.