Working Principle and Structure of Accumulating Suspended Conveyors

Release time:

2021-09-16

　　When it comes to material-handling machinery, industry insiders immediately think of accumulation-type suspended conveyors. Why is that? Because this type of conveyor belt is widely used—especially in the automotive industry. This article focuses primarily on the structure, operating principles, and maintenance methods of accumulation-type suspended conveyors used in complete-vehicle assembly lines in the automotive manufacturing sector. Let’s take a closer look at how these conveyors work and what their key components are!

　　The accumulation-type suspended conveyor is a conveying device that is well-suited for high-productivity, flexible production systems. It not only serves as a conveyor but also runs throughout the entire production line, integrating sophisticated technological operations, storage, and conveying functions in one system. With the rapid advancement of modern logistics and transportation technologies, accumulation-type suspended conveyors have found widespread application across various industries—particularly in the automotive manufacturing sector, where they are used in processes such as 4-door assembly lines, engine assembly lines, and complete vehicle assembly lines.

　　Structure of the Accumulating Suspended Conveyor

　　The accumulation-type suspended conveyor consists primarily of the following components: conveyor rails, traction chains, loading trolley assemblies, drive units, tensioning devices, stopping devices, roller assembly rotation mechanisms, wheel rotation mechanisms, turnouts, stop devices, and pneumatic control systems. The following sections provide a detailed description of each component’s structure.

　　Conveyor Tracks: Stacking-type conveyor systems feature tracks of various types and with different track spacings. In stacker crane systems, the guide rails consist of two sections—the upper section serves as the traction rail, transmitting the driving force. The top surface of the loading guide rail is made of H-shaped steel profiles of different specifications; its lower flange’s inner surface forms the running surface for the traction chain’s rocker rollers. This surface supports the trolley frame via the chain, thereby providing structural support for the chain itself. To support the tracks, the lower section comprises two specialized channels. The lower flange of the track channel serves as the running surface for the trolley wheels and guide wheels; the trolley moves along this surface propelled by the pusher at the top of the traction chain. Vehicles are suspended from the trolley using special lifting devices.

　　Stacked tracks are divided into three types based on track spacing.

　　1) When the track is lifted, the lifting claws of the trolley on the track section do not engage with the push rods of the chain. Since the distance between the guide rails is greater than the distance between the storage guide rails, the initial pressure of the chain does not come into contact with the anti-detachment claws of the trolley. As the freight car is transferred from one traction chain to another, the lifting track serves to prevent the car from pushing against the chain.

　　2) Since the spacing between the guide rails of the storage track is smaller than the spacing between the lifting guide rails, the engagement between the push rod and the lifting pawl and anti-detachment pawl of the trolley increases. As a result, the push rod engages with the trolley’s anti-detachment pawl. If the push rod comes into contact with the rear side of the anti-detachment pawl, the anti-detachment pawl will lower, allowing the chain push rod to pass over the anti-detachment pawl. When the trolley is traveling along the storage track, the chain push rod remains positioned between the lifting pawl and the anti-detachment pawl, thereby preventing the trolley from detaching.

　　3) Since the guide rail spacing of the press machine is smaller than the spacing of the storage guide rails, the pusher of the conveyor chain is entirely positioned between the lifting pawl and the anti-detachment pawl. When the trolley travels along the vertically curved track, the lifting pawl and the anti-detachment pawl engage with each other because the trolley rests on the steps of the guide rail. Even when the lifting pawl descends, the engagement between the trolley and the pusher will not be lost due to the vertical curved guide rail (pressing guide rail), thereby ensuring safe uphill travel. Another function of the guide rail occurs at the chain exchange point—the chain exchange station is where the shopping cart switches from one chain to another. A shaped bracket connects the traction guide rail and the bracket guide rail. The thickness of the bracket depends on the weight it needs to support.

　　The above is an introduction to the working principle and structure of the accumulating suspended conveyor. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact us anytime!

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