Conveyor Orientation Adjustment with Adaptive Speed Difference Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orientation adjustment apparatuses are inadequate for handling multiple types of conveyance targets with varying characteristics, leading to excessive or insufficient orientation changes due to differing difficulty levels.

Innovation Solution

An orientation adjustment apparatus with parallel conveyor parts having adjustable speeds, controlled by a device that accounts for both orientation differences and target characteristics to achieve precise orientation adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed speed difference is applied to the first conveyor part and second conveyor part, then the orientation adjustment is simple to control, but the orientation adjustment is insufficient for conveyance targets with different characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different conveyance target characteristicsVSAvoidcomplexity of speed control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the conveyance speeds of the first conveyor part and second conveyor part variable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adjusts the speed difference between the two conveyor parts based on the detected orientation and characteristics of each conveyance target, allowing the system to adapt to different target types (packages, trays, carts) while maintaining a relatively simple overall control structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the speed parameter of the conveyor parts based on the characteristics of the conveyance target. The control device determines appropriate speed differences by considering the orientation detection results and target characteristics (such as weight, size, and type), thereby achieving adaptable orientation adjustment through parameter modification rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If the conveyance speed difference is increased to adjust orientation quickly, then the orientation adjustment speed is improved, but excessive orientation change occurs for easily adjustable targets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation adjustment speedVSAvoidprecision of orientation adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using an orientation detection device to continuously monitor the orientation of the conveyance target during transmission. The control device receives this feedback information and dynamically adjusts the speed difference between the first and second conveyor parts, increasing the speed difference when quick adjustment is needed and decreasing it when precise adjustment is required, thereby achieving both speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the speed difference parameter based on real-time orientation detection feedback and target characteristics. For targets that are easy to adjust, the speed difference is kept small to prevent over-adjustment, while for targets that are difficult to adjust or require quick reorientation, the speed difference is increased, achieving adaptive control of both adjustment speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a large speed difference is applied to all targets, then orientation adjustment is effective for difficult-to-adjust targets, but causes excessive orientation change for easily adjustable targets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of orientation adjustmentVSAvoidaccuracy of final orientation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the speed parameter based on the specific characteristics of each conveyance target. The control device determines appropriate speed differences by considering the orientation detection results and target characteristics (such as weight, size, and type), thereby achieving adaptable orientation adjustment through parameter modification rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different speed difference parameters to different conveyor parts based on the local requirements of each target. By segmenting the control approach and applying customized speed differences to the first and second conveyor parts according to target characteristics, the system achieves reliable and accurate orientation adjustment for each specific target type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4592221A1Orientation adjustment apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 DAIFUKU CO LTD
  • EP4592221A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4592221A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4592221A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control device (50) changes a speed difference (ΔSu) in accordance with the degree of a pre-adjustment orientation difference (ΔSu) as a difference between an upstream actual orientation (Su) detected by an upstream orientation detection device (30u) and an intended orientation (Sr), and increases the speed difference (ΔSu) as a characteristic value (H) indicative of a degree of difficulty of an orientation change which difficulty corresponds to a characteristic of a conveyance target (11) determined by a characteristic determination device (40) in orientation adjustment control for controlling a speed difference between a conveyance speed (V1) of a first conveyor part (21) and a conveyance speed (V2) of a second conveyor part (22) that are disposed in parallel to change the orientation of the conveyance target (11).