Article Identification Conveyor with Non-Identifiable Item Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for separating and identifying articles face inefficiencies due to non-identifiable items blocking the system, leading to reduced throughput rates and mixing with new items, as they circulate in an endless loop without successful identification.
Innovation Solution
A system with a manipulation unit that picks up articles based on sensor detection, an identification unit that separates identified items to distinct positions, and a position conveyor that directs non-identified items to a separate handling region, allowing continuous operation and rapid identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-identifiable articles are circulated in an endless loop for re-identification, then identification completeness is improved, but system throughput rate deteriorates due to blocking by non-identifiable items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts non-identifiable articles from the main processing loop by diverting them to a separate storage zone. This prevents these articles from continuously circulating and blocking the manipulation unit, thereby maintaining system throughput while still allowing for complete identification attempts on all articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the article handling process into two distinct paths: one for continuously circulating articles that need identification, and another for storing non-identifiable articles. This segmentation allows the identification process to be completed for all articles without permanently blocking the system.
2Productivity
If non-identifiable articles are moved to a failure zone after multiple failed attempts, then system blocking is reduced, but throughput rate remains limited due to extended manipulation time
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulation unit is designed to autonomously determine when an article is non-identifiable and automatically transfer it to the storage zone without requiring external intervention or extended manipulation time. This self-service capability reduces the time loss associated with handling non-identifiable articles.
3Reliability
If non-identifiable articles circulate in the supplying stream, then identification attempts can be repeated, but new products are mixed with circulating products of previous batches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts non-identifiable articles from the supplying stream and places them in a dedicated storage zone. This prevents mixing between new products and circulating products from previous batches, maintaining clear batch separation while still allowing for repeated identification attempts on articles that need it.
4Reliability
If articles are repeatedly picked up and placed in storage zone for re-identification, then identification completeness is improved, but manipulation unit speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the handling of articles based on their identification status. Articles that are successfully identified are quickly discharged, while only non-identifiable articles are transferred to the storage zone for later processing. This dynamic approach maintains high manipulation unit speed for the majority of articles.
Data Source
AI summary
A system configured to separate and identify articles, and the system including a manipulation unit configured to move articles from the source position in the direction of the discharging conveyor element, and the manipulation unit is configured to pick up the articles from the source position according to the position and/or orientation detected by the sensor unit, and an identification unit, which is configured to identify the articles moved by the manipulation unit in the direction of the discharging conveyor element, and the discharging conveyor element includes a position conveyor, which is configured to convey the article to a second position (P2) if this has not been identified by the identification unit, and the second position (P2) is arranged within a handle region of the manipulation unit.