Transportation Path Diverter With Independent Swing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation path diverters require significant space adjustments and can potentially crush conveyed articles during path diversion, especially when mounted on existing conveyor systems without height modifications.
Innovation Solution
A transportation path diverter with independently swinging upper and lower diverting conveyors, controlled by height and article detectors to ensure safe diversion without crushing, using distinct swinging devices and a control system to manage conveyor movements based on article size and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the upper diverting conveyor and lower diverting conveyor are coupled via the same link to enable simultaneous swinging, then the transportation path can be diverted efficiently, but significant space is required above and below the conveyor system for the link to swing freely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coupling mechanism into two separate links: a first link coupling the upper diverting conveyor to the drive mechanism, and a second link coupling the lower diverting conveyor to the drive mechanism. This segmentation allows each link to swing independently within smaller spaces, eliminating the need for large clearance zones while maintaining synchronized diversion capability.
2Area of stationary object
If the diverting conveyors are swung independently using different swinging devices, then space requirements are reduced and integration with existing conveyors is easier, but the risk of crushing conveyed articles increases during path diversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates detectors that monitor the positions of the upper and lower diverting conveyors and provide feedback signals to the control unit. The control unit processes this information and adjusts the swinging motion of each conveyor to ensure they move in a coordinated manner that prevents article crushing, enabling safe independent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control where the swinging speed, amplitude, and timing of each diverting conveyor are continuously adjusted based on real-time position detection and article presence information. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the conveyors coordinate their movements to avoid crushing articles even when operated independently.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing conveyor heights are maintained without modification, then installation is simpler and costs are reduced, but the diverting conveyors may interfere with ceiling or floor structures during swinging motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves spatial interference by transitioning from a vertical swinging arrangement (requiring height clearance) to a horizontal or angled swinging arrangement. The links are configured to swing in directions that utilize available lateral space rather than vertical space, allowing installation without modifying existing conveyor heights while avoiding ceiling and floor interference.
Data Source
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AI summary
A transportation path diverter 10 diverts the transportation path of a conveyed article 90. The transportation path diverter 10 includes an upstream-side lower diverting conveyor 12, a downstream-side upper diverting conveyor 13, a downstream-side lower diverting conveyor 14, a height sensor 51, and an article sensor 52. The height sensor 51 detects the article 90 conveyed by the upstream-side lower diverting conveyor 12, the article 90 having at least a predetermined height. The article sensor 52 detects the article 90 transferred from the upstream-side lower diverting conveyor 12 to the downstream-side lower diverting conveyor 14. A swing of the downstream-side upper diverting conveyor 13 by a first swinging device 20 is controlled based on the detection of the article 90 by the height sensor 51 and the article sensor 52.