Trough with Segmented Sliding Surface for Sticky Article Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional troughs face difficulties in conveying sticky articles due to inadequate conveyance control, as vibration alone is insufficient to manage adhesion.
Innovation Solution
The trough design incorporates a first sliding surface with openings and a second sliding surface that closes parts of these openings, featuring left, right, and upper flat surfaces to reduce contact area and facilitate air flow, thereby enhancing conveyance control for sticky articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vibration is used to move sticky articles in a conventional trough, then the article can be conveyed, but conveyance control becomes difficult due to adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface is segmented into multiple regions with different characteristics: a first sliding surface with openings and a second sliding surface with closed portions. This segmentation allows different areas to serve different functions - the open areas reduce adhesion while the closed areas provide structural support and guide the article
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sliding surface have different properties: the first sliding surface has openings to reduce adhesion for sticky articles, while the second sliding surface has closed portions to provide stable support. This local differentiation of surface properties enables simultaneous reduction of adhesion and maintenance of conveyance control
2Force
If the trough surface is made smooth to reduce friction, then the article can move more easily, but sticky articles adhere more strongly
Solution Approach 1:
The first sliding surface incorporates openings that create a porous-like structure, allowing air to pass through and reduce adhesion between the sticky article and the trough surface. This porous configuration reduces both friction and adhesion simultaneously
3Object-affected harmful factors
If openings are provided in the trough surface to reduce adhesion, then sticky articles can be conveyed more easily, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface is divided into open and closed portions, allowing the structure to maintain strength in the closed portions while providing adhesion reduction in the open portions
Solution Approach 2:
The trough incorporates a composite structure combining the first sliding surface with openings and the second sliding surface with closed portions, creating a multi-functional surface that simultaneously provides adhesion reduction and structural support
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
The design enables effective conveyance control of sticky articles by minimizing adhesion and preventing unintentional falling, ensuring smooth and controlled movement.
Implementation Method 1
a second sliding surface that closes a part of each of the openings and is located at an inner position of the trough than the first sliding surface
Implementation Method 2
facilitate air flow, thereby enhancing conveyance control for sticky articles
Implementation Method 3
a drive unit that drives the trough
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A conveyance apparatus (1) according to an embodiment includes: a trough (11) that receives an article from an outside and conveys the article in a conveyance direction from upstream to downstream; and a drive unit (20) that drives the trough. The trough includes a plurality of protrusions (92) on a front surface (91) on which the article is conveyed, and an opening (91A) passing from the front surface to a back surface (93) is formed at an end (92E) on a downstream side of the plurality of protrusions.