Transfer Device for Continuous Conveying with Moving Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

In production lines with multiple processing stations connected by material flow systems, buffering sections with multiple storage tracks are used to compensate for timing differences and interruptions. However, changeovers between storage tracks create gaps in item conveyance, disrupting continuous conveying operations and leading to inefficient production processes.

Innovation Solution

A transfer device is introduced between the storage tracks and downstream conveyor tracks, featuring a feed component, a discharging component, and a transfer track. The discharging component can move relative to the downstream conveyor track to maintain continuous conveying, even during storage track changeovers, by compensating for gaps produced during the changeover process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If changeover between storage tracks is performed, then storage capacity and flexibility are improved, but continuous conveying operation is disrupted and production efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage track changeover capabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A transfer device with transfer track is introduced as an intermediary between storage tracks and downstream conveyor tracks. This transfer device receives items from storage tracks via feed component, transfers them through the transfer track, and discharges them onto downstream conveyor tracks via discharging component, thereby decoupling the changeover operations from the downstream continuous conveying process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying system is segmented into distinct functional zones: storage tracks, feed component, transfer track, discharging component, and downstream conveyor tracks. This segmentation allows independent operation of each zone, enabling storage track changeovers without affecting downstream continuous conveying operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If changeover between storage tracks is performed, then storage flexibility is improved, but gaps between items are produced and conveying continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage track switching capabilityVSAvoidconveying continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The feed component and transfer track are positioned and ready in advance to receive items from any storage track. When a changeover is needed, the system can immediately switch to a different storage track without waiting for the downstream conveyor to complete its cycle, as the transfer device maintains continuous operation independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer device maintains continuous conveying action on the downstream conveyor tracks even during storage track changeovers. The transfer track continuously transfers items from the feed component to the discharging component, ensuring that the downstream conveying operation never stops or experiences gaps between items

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If multiple storage tracks are used, then buffering capacity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuffering capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer device with feed component, transfer track, and discharging component serves as a universal interface for all storage tracks. Rather than having separate conveying mechanisms for each storage track, a single multi-functional transfer device handles items from any storage track, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high buffering capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12297052B2Transfer device for an apparatus for continuously conveying items, and method for continuously conveying items

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

The invention relates to a transfer device (20) apparatus (100) for continuously conveying items. The apparatus (100) has a store (10) having storage tracks (11), and a downstream conveyor track (30), wherein the transfer device (20) is arranged between the store (10) and the conveyor track (30) and is designed to transfer conveyable items from a storage track (11) to the downstream conveyor track (30). The transfer device (20) has: a feed component (21) to receive conveyable items from the selected storage track (11); a discharging component (23) to discharge the conveyable items onto the downstream conveyor track (30); and a transfer track (22) to transfer the conveyable items from the feed component (21) to the discharging component (23). The discharging component (23) is designed to be moved relative to the downstream conveyor track (30) so that continuous operation is possible when the storage track (11) is being changed over.