Tilting Roller Transfer for Free-Rotation Fruit Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for transferring objects from roller conveyors, such as yo-yo or diabolo conveyors, fail to ensure free rotation and homogeneous transfer of objects of varying sizes and shapes, particularly spherical or ellipsoidal objects, often causing interference with weighing and ejection mechanisms, leading to potential loss and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with a guide and steering elements that modify the trajectory of rollers on a hinge, allowing objects to tilt and transfer to a different conveyor type, such as a cup conveyor, without the need for weighing and ejection mechanisms, ensuring free rotation and simplified transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If weighing and ejection mechanisms are installed on rollers to transfer objects, then transfer precision is improved, but device complexity increases and object rotation is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the weighing and ejection mechanisms from the roller system entirely. Instead, a separate detection system uses optical sensors to identify objects requiring transfer, and a dedicated ejection mechanism positioned away from the rollers performs the transfer action, thus eliminating interference with object rotation while maintaining transfer precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary detection system using optical sensors that can identify objects without physical contact. This allows the control system to trigger the ejection mechanism at the appropriate moment without the rollers themselves needing to perform weighing functions, thereby simplifying the roller design while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual weighing and ejection mechanisms are equipped on rollers, then transfer accuracy is improved, but object rotation freedom deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the detection function from the ejection function. Optical sensors detect objects along the conveyor path, and when an object matching specific criteria is detected, the system triggers the ejection mechanism. This segmentation allows objects to rotate freely on the rollers during detection while ensuring accurate transfer when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical weighing mechanisms on rollers with optical detection systems. This substitution eliminates the physical interference that mechanical weighing components would cause to object rotation, while still providing the necessary detection capability for accurate transfer timing.
3Productivity
If gripper conveyor is used to pick up objects individually, then transfer synchronization is improved, but object integrity deteriorates due to crushing and falling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses optical sensors to create a digital representation or model of the object's position, size, and characteristics. This information is used by the control system to trigger the ejection mechanism at the precise moment and location, achieving synchronization without physical manipulation that could damage soft objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary air blast or gentle ejection mechanism that transfers objects without direct mechanical contact from grippers. This intermediary method allows synchronized transfer while avoiding the crushing and dropping issues associated with gripper-based systems, particularly for soft fruits.
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
Facilitates simple, compact, and synchronized transfer of objects, particularly spherical or ellipsoidal items, like fruit, while preventing interference with rotation, reducing the risk of loss, and enhancing production capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a single frame clamped to a drag chain (4)
Implementation Method 2
rotate around a central shaft (5)
Implementation Method 3
steering elements (7) which, in interaction with a guide (8), allow modification of the trajectory of the rollers (2)
Implementation Method 4
the shaft of the roller is in a horizontal position and is tilted with respect to the horizontal in order to tip the object
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for transferring objects for roller conveyors. The device comprises rollers (2) that are moved in a forward direction, dragged by a drag chain (4) and which rotate about a central shaft (5); hinge elements (6) that allow the rollers (2) to tilt; steering elements (7) attached to each central shaft (5) and linked to a guide (8) along which they are moved and which has an increasing inclination in the forward direction of the drag belt (4). As the rollers (2) advance, the guide (8) forces a change of trajectory of the steering elements (7) which causes the rollers (2) to tilt causing the transfer of the objects (1) to a second conveyor.