Transport Device Scissor Mechanism Width Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport devices face challenges in rapidly and precisely adapting to articles of different widths, leading to inefficiencies and increased downtime due to the need for multiple spacer elements and complex adjustment mechanisms, which restrict their adaptability and increase maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with a scissor mechanism and spindle drive system that allows for simultaneous adjustment of transport tracks to center them within individual aisles, enabling quick adaptation to varying widths without height restrictions, using threaded spindle sleeves with opposing threads and a spindle shaft to facilitate precise alignment and adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spacer elements of different widths are used to adapt the transport device, then the adaptability to different article widths is improved, but the device complexity and the number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different article widthsVSAvoidnumber of spacer elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single adjustable component (the lane plate with adjustment mechanism) that can accommodate multiple article widths, replacing the need for multiple specialized spacer elements. The lane plate can be positioned at different locations along the conveyor belt to adapt to various article diameters, making one component serve multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by introducing an adjustment mechanism that allows the lane plate position to be changed dynamically during operation. The lane plate can be moved along the conveyor belt using adjustment elements, enabling real-time adaptation to different article widths without requiring multiple static spacer elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the conveyor belts are manually shifted to adapt to different article widths, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time during adjustment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different article widthsVSAvoiddowntime for width adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning adjustment elements and lane plates at predetermined locations along the conveyor belt. These pre-configured positions allow for quick adjustment by simply moving the lane plate to the appropriate pre-marked position, reducing the time needed for adaptation compared to manual shifting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex manual mechanical shifting operations with a simplified adjustment mechanism. Instead of manually shifting entire conveyor belts, the system uses adjustment elements that allow lane plates to be repositioned quickly through a controlled mechanical system, reducing adjustment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the center lines of transported items do not run exactly along the center of the conveyor belt, then the adaptability to different widths is improved, but the manufacturing precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different article widthsVSAvoidalignment accuracy of article centers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using detection elements that monitor the position of transported articles and provide information about alignment deviations. This feedback is used to adjust the lane plate position or conveyor belt positioning to ensure that article center lines remain accurately aligned with the conveyor belt center, maintaining precision while adapting to different widths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces simple mechanical alignment with a controlled adjustment system that uses detection and feedback mechanisms. This allows for more precise alignment control, ensuring that article center lines run exactly along the conveyor belt center even when adapting to different article widths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the conveyor belts are freely displaceable independently, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability and stability of the transport system deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjusting conveyor positionsVSAvoidstability of transport during adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning lane plates and adjustment elements at predetermined locations before adjustment operations. This pre-configuring allows the system to maintain stability during adjustment by following a planned sequence of movements, reducing the risk of instability that would occur with completely free displacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces completely free mechanical displacement with a controlled adjustment mechanism. The lane plates and conveyor belts are displaced through a controlled system that provides guidance and stability during movement, maintaining reliability while still allowing easy adjustment to different positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 minimizes downtime during width changes, enhances adaptability to various article sizes, and reduces maintenance costs by allowing efficient handling of articles of different widths and heights, thereby improving device utilization and reducing operational inefficiencies.

Implementation Method 1

at least one hollow-cylindrical threaded spindle sleeve (08) with opposing external thread sections (81, 82)... a rotation of the threaded spindle sleeve (08) in one direction of rotation thus shifts the transport device (06) arranged on both sides of each transport track pair carrier (07) simultaneously to the transport track pair carrier (07)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

at least one scissor mechanism (10) that interacts with the lane plates (03, 05) and the transport track pair carriers (07) arranged between them provides an influencing of the displacement position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScissor mechanism: Four-Bar Linkage

Implementation Method 3

The spindle shaft has an outer cross section that corresponds to the geometry of the inner lateral surface... the threaded spindle sleeves (08) arranged with their central openings (83) on the spindle shaft (09) can be displaced longitudinally along the spindle axis (90) but are arranged non-rotatably relative to the spindle shaft (09)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP3239075B1Transport device for article flows orderly from successively transported articles and method for adapting a transport device to different width articles
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 KRONES AG
  • EP3239075B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3239075B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3239075B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transport device (01) is described, comprising a frame (02) and one or more parallel pairs of lanes (04) separated from each other by inner lane plates (03) arranged between them. The outer lane pairs (04) are each bounded externally by an outer lane plate (05). Each lane pair (40) has two transport tracks, each formed by its own transport device (06). A transport track pair support (07) is arranged between the two transport devices (06) of each lane pair (04). The lane plates (03, 05) and the transport track pair supports (07) are arranged on the frame (02) so as to be freely displaceable transversely to a transport direction (T).Furthermore, at least one control lever (12) comprising a control lever pivotably arranged about a frame-fixed control lever axis (11) and operatively connected to the lane plates (03, 05) and the transport track pair carriers (07) arranged between them, is provided. The scissor mechanism influences the displacement position of the lane plates (03, 05) and the transport track pair carriers (07) transversely to the transport direction (T) with respect to the control lever axis (11). A method for adapting a transport device (01) to articles of varying widths involves first adjusting the widths of all lanes (40, 04) and then fine-tuning the transport devices (06) to the centers of the individual lanes (40).