Vertical Conveyor with Compensation Rotor for Continuous Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical converters for conveyor systems are slow, require significant space, and often result in collisions or damage due to return strokes and constant rotational movement, making them unsuitable for high-speed and space-efficient applications like order picking systems.
Innovation Solution
A vertical converter design featuring a main rotor and balance rotor that rotate in opposite directions, allowing for a square or triangular trajectory of the material support, eliminating return strokes and enabling efficient vertical movement with low speed at corners for easy loading and unloading, and incorporating a traction means and position control for stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional vertical transfer devices are used, then vertical movement is achieved, but the conveying speed is very slow and continuous conveying is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic motion trajectories for the material support, transitioning from static or simple reciprocating movements to complex curved paths that enable continuous conveying. The material support follows a trajectory that combines vertical lifting with horizontal movement, allowing uninterrupted flow of materials between different conveyor levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the material support in advance by positioning it on a curved trajectory that anticipates the transfer point. The support is already in motion and properly oriented before reaching the transfer location, enabling seamless continuous conveying without waiting or stopping.
2Speed
If vertical transfer devices with return strokes are used, then vertical movement is achieved, but collisions between material and conveying path occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved and rounded motion trajectories for the material support instead of sharp angular movements. The support follows a smooth arc-shaped path during vertical transfer, which eliminates sudden direction changes and prevents collisions with the conveying path, thereby protecting materials from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the motion trajectory to preemptively avoid collision zones. The material support is guided along a predetermined curved path that steers it clear of potential collision areas with the conveying path before any collision could occur, neutralizing the harmful effect in advance.
3Speed
If material supports are rigidly connected to rotate in a circle, then vertical transfer is achieved, but the trajectory does not optimize space usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circular rotation into segmented curved trajectory phases. Instead of a complete circular path, the material support follows a segmented trajectory that includes only the necessary vertical lifting arc and horizontal transfer portions, eliminating unnecessary rotational segments and optimizing space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional circular rotation to a three-dimensional optimized curved trajectory. The material support moves through a spatial path that combines vertical and horizontal dimensions in a coordinated manner, achieving vertical transfer while minimizing the horizontal space footprint through precise trajectory control.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The invention relates to a vertical conveyor (2) for a conveying installation (1), comprising a main rotor (6), which is designed to rotate at least one node point (7) for a conveyed goods platform (5) about a substantially horizontally running main axis of rotation (HA), wherein: the node point (7) adopts a first distance (dl) from the main axis of rotation (HA) and the vertical conveyor (2) is designed to hold the conveyed goods platform (5) substantially horizontal during rotation about the main axis of rotation (HA); the conveyed goods platform (5) is coupled by means of a compensation rotor (10) to the node point (7) of the main rotor (6); the compensation rotor (10) is designed to rotate the conveyed goods platform (5) about a compensation axis of rotation (AA) running substantially parallel to the main axis of rotation (HA) through the node point (7); and the conveyed goods platform (5) adopts a second distance (d2) from the compensation axis of rotation (AA).