Vibrating Conveyor With Adjustable Support Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration conveyors for flat workpieces, such as metal sheets, lack flexibility in defining the conveying direction, limiting their application in various processing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The vibration conveyor system features variably adjustable support elements that can change their orientation relative to the workpiece support plane, allowing the same conveyor unit to be used for different conveying directions, with adjustable vibration generators and elastic bearing bristles, enabling flexible direction adjustment through a common or individual adjustment axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed conveyor units with fixed support element orientation are used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the conveying direction cannot be adjusted flexibly
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are designed with adjustable orientation relative to the workpiece support plane, allowing the conveying direction to be dynamically changed by adjusting the inclination angle. The support elements can be rotated or repositioned around an adjustment axis, transforming a static conveyor into a dynamic one that adapts to different conveying requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A single conveyor unit is designed to perform multiple conveying directions and angles by adjusting the support element orientation. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple dedicated conveyors for different directions, as one conveyor unit can be reconfigured to handle various workpiece routing requirements through adjustable support elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed conveyors are used for different directions, then each conveyor is optimized for its specific function, but the overall system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
One conveyor unit with adjustable support elements replaces multiple fixed conveyors oriented in different directions. By rotating or repositioning the support elements around an adjustment axis, a single conveyor can assume multiple conveying directions, significantly reducing the space required compared to having separate fixed conveyors for each direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system transitions from a static arrangement requiring multiple fixed units to a dynamic single unit that can be reconfigured. The adjustable support elements allow the same physical conveyor to serve multiple directional requirements, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If support elements are made rigid and fixed, then the conveying path is stable and predictable, but the ability to adapt to different workpiece routing needs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements combine rigid structural support with adjustable orientation capability. While the support elements maintain rigidity during operation to ensure stable conveying, they can be repositioned around an adjustment axis to change the conveying direction. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different routing needs while maintaining path stability during each conveying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying function is segmented into adjustable modular units where each support element can be independently oriented. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of conveying paths by adjusting individual support elements while each element maintains its structural integrity and stability during operation.
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 flexibility allows for the efficient and adaptable conveying of workpieces in various directions and speeds, enabling the linking of functional units in machine arrangements for specific applications, enhancing the versatility and efficiency of the conveyor system.
Implementation Method 1
the workpiece mounted on the free ends of the support elements of the conveyor unit causes a deflection movement of the free ends of the support elements in the conveying direction due to its mass inertia
Implementation Method 2
Due in particular to the friction acting between the free ends of the support elements and the workpiece, during their deflection movement the support elements push the workpiece forward in the conveying direction
Implementation Method 3
The downward stroke in the direction of gravity that follows an upward stroke is carried out at such a high speed that the workpiece remains in the position along the line of action of gravity during the downward stroke due to its mass inertia
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A vibratory conveyor (100) for conveying a flat workpiece, in particular a sheet metal part, comprises a conveying unit (102) with a base (103) and support elements (4) for a workpiece to be conveyed. The support elements (4) form a workpiece support plane (11) with their free ends and are inclined relative to a perpendicular to the workpiece support plane (11) in a conveying direction (13) of the conveying unit (102). The conveying direction (13) is defined by the orientation of the support elements (4) in the perpendicular projection onto the workpiece support plane (11). The conveying direction (13) of the conveying unit (102) is variably adjustable by allowing the orientation of the support elements (4) of the conveying unit (102) to be variably adjusted. A machine arrangement includes, in addition to functional units, a vibratory conveyor (100) of the aforementioned type.