Automatic load positioning for a conveyor cart

What is this patent about?

’493 is related to the field of industrial conveyor systems, specifically those used in assembly line manufacturing where workpieces must be presented to operators at various heights and angles. Traditional systems often rely on manual adjustments or simple foot-pedal controls, which can be ergonomically inefficient and slow down the production cycle. The patent addresses the need for a more intelligent, automated way to reposition heavy loads as they travel between different workstations.

The underlying idea behind ’493 is the integration of on-board intelligence and location-awareness directly onto each individual conveyor cart. Rather than relying on a human operator to manually crank a turntable or hold a lift button, the cart itself recognizes its specific location within a factory—using proximity sensors or ID tags—and automatically triggers precise motorized adjustments. This creates a self-configuring transport system where the workpiece “prepares itself” for the next assembly step before it even arrives at the station.

The claims of ’493 focus on a mobile cart equipped with a driven adjustment mechanism—such as a scissors lift or a motorized turntable—governed by an on-board control processor. The independent claims specifically protect the combination of this on-board controller with a sensing means that detects the cart's proximity to specific facility locations. This architecture allows the cart to retrieve and execute stored positioning data (height and rotation) automatically upon reaching a designated coordinate or workstation.

In practice, the system functions by utilizing an ID tag reader or GPS on the cart to communicate with markers placed along the assembly path. When a cart identifies a specific station, the processor pulls the required coordinates from local memory or a central server via an RF modem. The cart then engages its motors to reach the target height and orientation. This implementation supports a “learning” mode where an operator can manually set a preferred position and save it to the system, ensuring all subsequent carts adopt that specific ergonomic configuration automatically.

This approach differs from prior solutions by shifting the control logic from the factory floor to the cart itself, enabling dynamic load positioning that can vary based on the specific product being carried. While older systems used fixed mechanical stops or simple manual switches, this invention allows for a centralized controller to update the entire fleet’s behavior wirelessly. By automating the transition between stations, the system eliminates manual setup time and reduces the risk of mechanical interference during rotation, significantly increasing the throughput of complex assembly lines.