Height-Adjustable Storage Device for High-Density Package Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting devices for piece goods require significant space and effort to manage multiple chutes and storage devices, limiting throughput and efficiency, especially when sorting by multiple criteria, and pose challenges in accessing and removing items from different levels.
Innovation Solution
A sorting device with height-adjustable storage devices that can pivot from an upper receiving position to a lower delivery position, allowing for efficient storage and removal of piece goods, and enabling the combination of multiple sorting devices into a single functional unit with multiple transport devices, reducing space requirements and handling effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple chutes are arranged one above the other to increase throughput, then sorting capacity is improved, but space requirements and complexity of accessing items at different levels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is made dynamically adjustable in height, allowing it to move between an upper receiving position and a lower dispensing position. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling automated access to items at different levels, maintaining high throughput while reducing the complexity of manual accessing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable storage device acts as an intermediary between the upper chute and lower chute, facilitating the transfer of piece goods between different levels. This intermediary mechanism automates the accessing process, improving productivity while reducing the operational complexity of retrieving items from elevated positions.
2Productivity
If multiple sorting devices are used to sort piece goods by multiple criteria, then sorting capacity is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sorting functions are merged into a single integrated sorting device by arranging chutes vertically and using an adjustable storage device that can serve multiple chutes. This consolidation maintains high sorting capacity while reducing the horizontal space requirements compared to having separate sorting devices for each criterion.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorting device transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple devices to a vertical arrangement with chutes stacked one above the other. This dimensional change allows multiple sorting operations to occur in the same footprint, improving productivity without proportionally increasing the area occupied.
3Area of stationary object
If chutes are arranged vertically to save space, then area requirements are reduced, but accessibility and effort to remove items from upper levels increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device incorporates dynamic height adjustment capability, allowing it to move from an upper receiving position to a lower dispensing position. This dynamic feature maintains the space-saving vertical arrangement while dramatically improving ease of operation by bringing items to a more accessible lower level for removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable storage device enables self-service operation by automatically positioning itself to facilitate item removal. The device can adjust its own height to bring stored items to an accessible position, reducing the effort required by operators to retrieve items from upper levels.
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 enables high-throughput sorting with reduced space and effort, allowing for efficient handling and transfer of piece goods across multiple chutes, improving accessibility and operational efficiency by adjusting storage devices to facilitate easy removal and transfer of items.
Implementation Method 1
The storage device (11) can be adjusted from an upper receiving position assigned to the upper chute (6) in the direction of the lower chute (7) into a lower delivery position and back, in particular pivotable, formed
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
The invention relates to a chute (6) for general cargo (4), in particular packages and/or shipments, with a chute floor (8) for the general cargo (4) to slide down, with at least one storage device (11) for the general cargo (4) that has slid down along the chute floor (8), preferably assigned to the lower end of the chute (6), wherein the storage device (11) is adjustable, in particular pivotable, from an upper receiving position for receiving the general cargo (4) sliding down the chute (6) to a lower discharge position for discharging the received general cargo (4) and back.