Article Alignment Device for Variable-End Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article alignment devices struggle to efficiently box articles with end portions of different shapes, as they often result in inefficient use of space due to the differing thicknesses of upper and lower ends, leading to gaps and reduced packing capacity.
Innovation Solution
An article alignment device comprising a first conveyance device, a second conveyance device, and a control device that changes the orientation of articles with different end shapes, ensuring the thicker lower ends and thinner upper ends are positioned to overlap, utilizing a combination of conveyance units and sensors to manage the orientation and packing process effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If articles with different end shapes are packed in a conventional alignment device, then the packing process can be completed, but the space utilization in the box is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveyance devices movable and adjustable. The first and second conveyance devices can independently control the orientation of articles, dynamically switching between different orientations (first orientation with first end portions downstream, second orientation with second end portions downstream) to optimize packing arrangements and improve space utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the conveyance system into two independent conveyance devices (first conveyance device and second conveyance device), each capable of conveying articles in different orientations. This segmentation allows selective orientation control of individual articles or groups of articles, enabling efficient packing of articles with different end shapes by positioning thicker and thinner sections optimally
2Productivity
If articles are conveyed in a single fixed orientation, then the conveyance process is simple, but articles with different end shapes cannot be efficiently aligned for packing
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts article orientation by controlling the first and second conveyance devices to operate in different modes. The control device switches between conveying articles in the first orientation and second orientation based on packing requirements, enabling efficient alignment of articles with different end shapes without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance system achieves multi-functionality by using the first and second conveyance devices to perform multiple functions: conveying articles in first orientation, conveying articles in second orientation, and selectively switching between orientations. This universal approach allows the same system to handle various article types and packing configurations
Data Source
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AI summary
An article alignment device aligns articles having first end portions and second end portions that have a shape different from the shape of the first end portions. The article alignment device includes a first conveyance device, a second conveyance device, and a control device. The first conveyance device has conveyance units that carry and convey the articles. The first conveyance device conveys the articles in a first orientation. In the first orientation the first end portions are positioned on a downstream side with respect to a first conveyance direction of the articles. The second conveyance device is placed downstream of the first conveyance device. The control device controls operation of the first and second conveyance devices such that the orientation of first articles conveyed by the second conveyance device are changed to a second orientation where the second end portions are positioned on the downstream side.