Angled Roller Array Delamination with Vision Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in efficiently delaminating mixed streams of articles, such as parcels, due to variations in format, the need for higher automation standards, and space constraints, often requiring manual intervention and inefficient use of conveyor space.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing an inclined and laterally tilted delamination unit with individually controlled rollers, combined with a vision system and control unit to detect and manipulate article positions, sizes, and orientations, enabling precise control over roller speed and direction for delamination and singulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual delamination methods are used, then adaptability to various article formats is improved, but productivity and automation extent deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various article formatsVSAvoiddelamination throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The delamination system is segmented into multiple independently controllable roller units arranged in arrays. Each roller or group of rollers can be individually controlled to handle different article formats, enabling both high adaptability and automated high-speed processing without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic control of roller speeds and directions, allowing the delamination mechanism to adapt to various article formats in real-time while maintaining high automated throughput. The roller arrays can adjust their operational parameters dynamically based on detected article characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If traditional delamination equipment is used, then simplicity of device structure is improved, but footprint area and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidequipment footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The roller arrays are arranged in inclined and three-dimensional configurations, utilizing vertical and angular dimensions to achieve compact footprint. This dimensional arrangement allows multiple roller arrays to be stacked or angled relative to each other, reducing the horizontal space required while maintaining sophisticated delamination capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple roller arrays are nested or stacked in a compact configuration where smaller roller groups are positioned within or between larger structural elements. This nesting approach minimizes the overall equipment footprint while maintaining the complexity needed for high-speed automated delamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If bulk processing is used, then productivity is improved, but delamination effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing throughputVSAvoiddelamination precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates vision systems and sensors that provide real-time feedback on article positions, orientations, and formats. This feedback enables the control system to dynamically adjust roller speeds and directions for each individual article within the bulk stream, ensuring precise delamination while maintaining high throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and classification of articles in the bulk stream using vision systems before delamination action is applied. This preliminary action allows the control system to pre-program the specific roller sequences and speeds needed for each article type, ensuring precise delamination occurs automatically as articles move through the bulk processing stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Achieves high-performance delamination and singulation of articles with a smaller footprint, reducing manual labor and increasing throughput while adapting to various article formats.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of individually controlled rollers (134) arranged on an inclined plane (133)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3758860B1Powered, angled-roller array delamination equipment
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 KORBER SUPPLY CHAIN LLC
  • EP3758860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3758860B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A system (100) for delaminating a stream (110) of articles (A, B, C, D, E) includes a delamination unit (130) with a plurality of individually controlled rollers (134) configured to carry a stream (110) of articles (A, B, C, D, E), a detection unit (150) with a sensor (152), and a control unit (160) with a processor (162) and interfacing with the delamination unit (130) and the detection unit (150), wherein the detection unit (150) is configured to detect a position of each of the articles (A, B, C, D, E) and to transmit position data to the control unit (160), and wherein the control unit (160) is configured, through operation of the processor (162), to correlate positions of the articles (A, B, C, D, E) with the plurality of individually controlled rollers (134), and to individually control the rollers (134) based on the position data to delaminate the stream (110) of articles (A, B, C, D, E).