Transporter With Dual Conveyor System For Parallel Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transporters face challenges in conveying objects at high speeds due to limitations in design and operation, such as increased retainer mechanism size and extended standby times for arm devices when using single lift conveyors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual conveyor system where the first conveyor receives and conveys objects in one direction, and the second conveyor, movable in a perpendicular direction, receives from the first conveyor and conveys to the input conveyor, allowing parallel operation and reducing standby times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a single lift conveyor is used, then the structure is simple, but the conveyance speed is limited and standby time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is segmented into multiple independent conveyors (first conveyor, second conveyor, third conveyor) that operate in parallel. Each conveyor handles specific transfer tasks, allowing simultaneous operations and eliminating sequential bottlenecks, thereby increasing overall conveyance speed without requiring a single complex high-speed mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single linear conveyor path to a multi-dimensional conveyor network with conveyors arranged in different spatial orientations and levels. The first conveyor operates horizontally, the second conveyor provides vertical lift, and the third conveyor continues horizontal transport, creating a three-dimensional transport architecture that enables parallel operations and reduces standby time
2Productivity
If the arm device waits for the lift conveyor to return, then the conveyor can be reused, but productivity decreases due to extended standby time
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-conveyor system enables continuous operation by providing alternative pathways. While the first conveyor is delivering an object and the second conveyor is returning to its initial position, the third conveyor is already positioned and ready to receive the next object from the arm device. This eliminates idle waiting time and maintains continuous productive action
Solution Approach 2:
The third conveyor is preliminarily positioned in advance to receive the next object before the current object is fully delivered. This pre-positioning eliminates the need for the arm device to wait for conveyor return, as the receiving conveyor is already ready to accept the next object immediately
3Reliability
If retainers are added to prevent object drop, then object stability improves, but the retainer mechanism size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor surfaces are designed to be substantially level (equipotential) during object transfer, minimizing height differences between conveying surfaces. This reduces the risk of object dropping without requiring large mechanical retainers, as objects naturally remain stable on level surfaces during transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A transporter includes: a first conveyor to receive an object, the first conveyor to convey the object in a first direction; and a second conveyor to receive the object from the first conveyor and to convey the object, the second conveyor being movable in position in a second direction that crosses the first direction, the second direction being a substantially vertical direction.