Vertical Conveyor Loading Station for Flat Goods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current overhead conveyor systems cannot mechanically load transport bags with flat goods due to their design, which only allows loading from the side.
Innovation Solution
The conveyor system individually conveys transport bags downwards into a loading position and opens them at the top, enabling mechanical loading via a transport device for flat goods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transport bags are designed with side-open pockets for loading, then they can accommodate flat goods, but mechanical loading becomes impossible with known means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional loading approach by opening the transport bag at the top instead of the side, and conveying the bag vertically downwards into the loading position. This inversion enables mechanical loading from above using a simple deposit device, resolving the contradiction between accommodating flat goods and enabling mechanical loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical movement as a new dimension to the loading process. By conveying transport bags vertically downwards into the loading position and opening them in the vertical direction, the system enables mechanical loading from above, transforming the loading operation from a horizontal side-loading approach to a vertical top-loading approach.
2Productivity
If overhead conveyor systems use traditional holding elements, then they can transport hanging goods, but they cannot mechanically load transport bags with flat goods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the overhead conveyor system multi-functional by integrating a vertical conveyor and a deposit device that enable the system to handle both traditional hanging goods and flat goods in transport bags. The loading station adds top-loading capability while maintaining compatibility with existing holding elements and transport bags.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a loading station as an intermediary component between the feed rail and discharge rail. This loading station includes a vertical conveyor and deposit device that mediate the loading process, enabling mechanical loading of transport bags without disrupting the existing overhead conveyor system's transport function.
3Ease of operation
If transport bags are opened from the side, then loading is possible, but mechanized loading cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the opening direction from side-opening to top-opening, and inverts the loading direction from horizontal to vertical. This inversion enables the use of a simple deposit device for mechanized loading, as objects can be deposited vertically into the opened transport bag from above, achieving both ease of operation and high extent of automation.
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 allows for simple and efficient mechanical loading of transport bags with flat goods, enhancing the functionality of overhead conveyor systems.
Implementation Method 1
transport bags are individually conveyed downwards by the actual hanging conveyor system into a loading position
Implementation Method 2
vertical conveyor 9 has a transport chain 13 whose transport strand 14 running in the transport direction runs downwards in the rail 10
Implementation Method 3
feed-stop device 21, which consists of a pneumatically actuable piston-cylinder drive 22, which in the way of a holding element 5 in the feed-deflection part 11 can be pushed
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The station (1) has an upper supply rail (3) designed for a transport bag (29), and a vertical conveyor (9) for supplying the transport bag in a lower loading position. The supply rail is connected to the conveyor by an upper supply deflection part (11), and the conveyor includes a vertical transport rail (10) and a drivable transport chain. A device is provided for opening the transport bag in a loading position (41). A lower discharge rail (4) is attached to the conveyor by a lower discharge deflection part (12) for discharging the transport bag from the loading position.