Discontinuous Tire Conveyor With Adaptive Speed Near Workers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual removal of unvulcanized pneumatic tires from storage units to vulcanization presses is physically demanding and costly, and existing machine-assisted solutions are complex, expensive, and prone to production stoppages due to safety and spatial separation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A discontinuous conveyor system equipped with a robot arm and gripper that can move autonomously in the presence of people, adapting its speed and operation based on sensor inputs to safely and efficiently convey tires from storage units to vulcanization presses, suitable for retrofitting in existing tire factories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual removal of pneumatic tires is used, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but worker workload and physical demand increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The discontinuous conveyor is equipped with sensors that enable it to autonomously detect people in its work area and adjust its own speed and position without external control, making the system self-regulating and eliminating the need for complex external safety systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tire removal with an automated conveyor system that uses sensors and autonomous control to detect people and adjust its operation, substituting human physical labor with automated sensing and actuation systems
2Extent of automation
If complex mechanical devices are used for tire removal, then automation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into functional modules: a discontinuous conveyor body, a robot arm with gripper for tire handling, and integrated sensors. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The discontinuous conveyor serves multiple functions: it transports tires, detects people in its work area, autonomously adjusts its speed, and positions tires for vulcanization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each task
3Object-affected harmful factors
If safety separation from personnel is enforced, then safety is ensured, but production efficiency decreases due to spatial and temporal separation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor's speed is dynamically adjusted based on real-time sensor detection of people in its work area. When people are detected, the conveyor automatically reduces speed or stops, eliminating the need for fixed spatial separation while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor the work area for people and provides feedback to the control system, which then adjusts the conveyor's speed accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables safe operation in close proximity to personnel without requiring fixed separation distances
4Adaptability or versatility
If fixed conveyor speed is used, then control simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to people in work area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system autonomously detects people using integrated sensors and automatically adjusts its own speed without external intervention, making the control system self-regulating and simplifying the overall control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor's speed parameter is dynamically changed based on sensor detection of people in the work area. The system transitions between different speed states (normal operation, reduced speed, stopped) based on real-time conditions, enabling adaptability without complex control logic
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a discontinuous conveyor (1) for conveying pneumatic tires (5) from a storage unit (6) to a position in the area of a vulcanization press (7), comprising a robot arm (2) and a gripper (3) mounted on the robot arm (2), wherein the discontinuous conveyor (1) is configured to move autonomously while people are present in the person's work area and to adjust its conveying speed when approaching or coming into contact with the person. The invention further relates to a method for conveying pneumatic tires with a discontinuous conveyor (1).