Transport Means with Radial Support Elements for Roller Conveyor Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller conveyor systems with non-driven, non-lockable support rollers pose challenges for maintenance access, especially on conveyors with gradients, as conventional caterpillar drives are ineffective on idle rollers.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of radially protruding support elements from the drive axle that engage between support rollers, allowing the transport means to propel on idle idlers, combined with a crank mechanism or motor drive, and a base station for secure boarding, enables safe and efficient movement on roller conveyors with gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a caterpillar drive is used on a roller conveyor, then the transport device can be propelled on fixed support rollers, but it cannot propel on idle rollers (especially on gravity conveyors with gradients)
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into multiple independent drive wheels, each capable of engaging with support rollers individually. This allows the transport device to propel effectively on both fixed and idle rollers, including on gravity conveyors with gradients, by distributing the propulsion force across multiple contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive wheels are designed with specific local characteristics (such as tread patterns, pressure distribution, and engagement geometry) that enable effective propulsion on idle rollers. The local contact quality between the drive wheels and support rollers is optimized to prevent slippage and ensure reliable propulsion even on conveyors without locked rollers.
2Stability of the object's composition
If support elements are made rigid, then they provide stable support, but they cannot give way when encountering support rollers or obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements incorporate elastic mounting that allows them to dynamically adapt to the conveyor surface. When encountering support rollers or obstacles, the elastic mounting allows temporary deformation and movement, absorbing impact energy. Once the obstacle is passed, the support elements return to their original position, maintaining stable support throughout the journey.
3Device complexity
If the drive axis is aligned parallel to the support rollers, then the structure is simple, but the propulsion is uneven when multiple support elements engage simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The drive axis is deliberately positioned at an angle of attack of 10 to 20 degrees against the longitudinal direction of the support rollers, creating an asymmetric engagement pattern. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that support elements engage with the rollers at different times and positions, distributing the propulsion force more evenly and preventing simultaneous engagement that would cause jerky motion.
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
This solution allows for safe and efficient manual or motor-driven propulsion on roller conveyors with gradients, facilitating maintenance access without additional resources, and can be easily adapted for different arrangements and operations.
Implementation Method 1
support elements, which protrude radially from the drive axle from the at least one wheel, engage in spaces between the support rollers and support the transport means on the support rollers in the transport direction
Implementation Method 2
The support elements are preferably attached to the transport means in such an elastic manner that they give way when they encounter a support roller or an obstacle
Implementation Method 3
the wheel can be spring-mounted on the means of transport
Implementation Method 4
The drive preferably has a crank mechanism which is connected to the at least one wheel by means of a chain
Implementation Method 5
the drive axis is at an angle of attack of 10 to 20 Degreehired against a longitudinal direction of the support rollers. The propulsion takes place more evenly, because neighboring support elements do not intervene at the same time, but slightly offset in time in the same space
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~3
AI summary
A transport means (1) for transporting a load on a roller conveyor (2) comprising a plurality of horizontally arranged support rollers (6) transversely to a transport direction (3), a load-handling device (12), a drive (11), and at least one wheel (21) that can be driven by the drive (11) about a drive axis (10) parallel to the roller conveyor (2) is disclosed. A method for transporting a load on a roller conveyor (2) comprising a plurality of horizontally arranged support rollers (6) transversely to a transport direction (3) is also disclosed. This method includes a transport means (1) comprising a load-handling device (12) and a drive (11), and at least one wheel (21) that can be driven by the drive (11) about a drive axis (10) parallel to the roller conveyor (2).For a roller conveyor (2) with non-lockable support rollers (6), it is proposed that support elements (24), which extend radially to the drive axis (10) from the at least one wheel (21), engage in spaces (26) between the support rollers (6) and support the transport means (1) in the transport direction (3) on the support rollers (6).