Transfer Device With Independent Carrier Heads For Precision Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transfer systems for machining objects below and above the transfer plane face challenges in precise positioning and high-speed transfer due to the use of heavy and large structural units, conveyor belts, and lack of coordinated movement control, leading to potential rebound and jamming.

Innovation Solution

A transfer device utilizing independent retention and carrier heads with horizontally movable pins, controlled to decelerate and accelerate objects for precise positioning on a platform or lifting structure, ensuring smooth transfer and positioning without rebound.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conveyor belts and heavy structural units are used for transfer, then the transfer structure is stable and reliable, but the device complexity and weight increase, and precise positioning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer reliabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer device is segmented into multiple independent carrier heads, each capable of independent movement and control. This allows the system to maintain reliability through redundancy while reducing the complexity of any single structural unit, as each carrier head operates autonomously rather than requiring a heavy, monolithic support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier heads are designed to be dynamically movable along the transfer path, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs. This dynamic capability enables precise positioning of objects while using lighter, more flexible structural elements compared to fixed, heavy conveyor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If conventional stoppers are used to position containers, then the transfer process is simple, but precise positioning is not achieved and rebound occurs at high speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer simplicityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier heads perform preliminary positioning actions before the object reaches its final destination. By preemptively adjusting the position and speed of carrier heads, the system ensures precise positioning without the need for complex mechanical stoppers, eliminating rebound issues while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the position and speed of objects during transfer. This feedback allows the control system to dynamically adjust carrier head movements, ensuring precise positioning and preventing rebound even at high transfer speeds, while keeping the overall operation simple through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If fast transfer movements are implemented, then productivity increases, but positioning precision deteriorates due to tolerance and play in the system

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer speedVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier heads are designed with dynamic control capabilities that allow them to adjust their speed and position in real-time. This enables the system to maintain high transfer speeds while achieving precise positioning, as each carrier head can independently compensate for tolerances and play that would otherwise accumulate at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Real-time feedback control is implemented to monitor and adjust the position of objects during fast transfer movements. The control system uses this feedback to compensate for tolerances and play in the mechanical system, maintaining positioning precision even at high productivity levels where such errors would normally accumulate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If lateral conveyor belts and guides are adjusted transversely to free the object, then the object can be positioned vertically, but the device complexity and maintenance needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical positioning capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The function of lateral conveyor belts and transverse guides is extracted and replaced by independently controllable carrier heads that perform both horizontal transport and vertical positioning functions. This eliminates the need for complex transverse adjustment mechanisms, reducing maintenance needs while maintaining full vertical positioning capability through the vertical movement of carrier heads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables reliable, high-speed transfer and precise positioning of objects, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring smooth operation in machines with high performance.

Implementation Method 1

the pin 3c of which, in the extended position, acts on the rear area of the object to be transferred, in the transfer direction, in a plane slightly above the support plane of the object on the conveyor belt or on the platform, in order to push the object in the direction of the platform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

the pin 30c of which, in the extended position, acts on the front area of the object to be transferred, in the transfer direction, parallel to the movement of the pin 3c of the carrier head 3b, in order to decelerate the object pushed by the pin 3c, by moving in the same direction as the pin 3c but at progressively slower speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4574720A1Transfer device and method for machines to be within a machining range below or/and above the transfer level
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 TANZER PETER MASCHENBAU
  • EP4574720A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4574720A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4574720A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Transfer device for machines with a processing area (I, S) provided below and/or above the transfer plane, the device comprising a linear loading device (2) and a linear removal device (4) for the objects (A, A1, A2) to be processed and a platform (P) provided between the said known loading/removal devices (2, 4) for raising (Ps) and/or lowering (Pi) the said objects into one or both processing areas (S, I), wherein on both sides along the said known loading/removal devices (2, 4) and along the platform (P), in a plane parallel to the transfer plane of the objects, within the passage area of ​​the latter, a driving head (3b) with driving pins (3c) and a retaining head (30b) with retaining pins (30c), parallel to the loading and removal movement (2a, 4a) of the objects (A, A1, A2) movable (3x,30x) is mounted on a single guide (7) on both longitudinal sides of said devices (2, 4) and the platform (P), said pins (3c, 30c) being extendable and retractable (3y, 30y) so as to be able to assume an active extended position by projecting into the passage area of ​​the transferred objects, and a passive retracted position by not obstructing the passage of said objects, and each of said heads (3b, 30b) being connected to a specific flexible transmission means (3a, 30a) which is each moved by a specific motor (3m, 30m).