Article Sorting Control for Passage Chute Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large articles can get stuck in passage ports in subsequent stages of the conveying unit, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential damage to downstream devices.
Innovation Solution
An article sorting determination device that includes a conveying unit, acquisition and control units to determine if an article is larger than the passage port, and outputs a sorting signal to prevent articles from getting stuck by sorting them before or after cutting, using X-ray inspection for additional checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conveying unit continues to convey all articles without sorting, then productivity is maintained, but articles larger than the passage port width will get stuck in downstream passage ports causing operational inefficiencies and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The determination device performs preliminary identification of articles that would get stuck in downstream passage ports before they reach those ports. By measuring article dimensions and comparing them with passage port widths in advance, the system can sort problematic articles beforehand, preventing them from causing operational inefficiencies or damage downstream while maintaining overall conveying productivity.
2Reliability
If the system measures and compares article size with passage port width to prevent getting stuck, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional measurement and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The determination device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it measures article dimensions, compares them with stored passage port width data, determines potential blocking issues, and controls the sorting mechanism. This multi-functional approach prevents articles from getting stuck while avoiding the need for separate measurement, comparison, and control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If articles are sorted before cutting to prevent getting stuck, then reliability improves, but the timing and coordination complexity increases due to additional sorting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs size measurement and blocking determination before the cutting operation occurs. By identifying articles that would get stuck in downstream passage ports in advance, the control unit can coordinate the sorting action to occur before cutting, ensuring that only appropriately sized articles proceed to the cutting stage. This preliminary determination simplifies coordination by establishing sort criteria before the cutting process begins.
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
Prevents articles from getting stuck in passage ports, ensuring smooth operation and reducing damage to downstream devices by accurately sizing and sorting articles based on their dimensions and contents.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray irradiation unit configured to irradiate the article being conveyed by the conveying unit with X-rays, a detection unit configured to detect the X-rays transmitted through the article
Data Source
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AI summary
Article sorting determination device (50) that can help prevent an article (G) from getting stuck in a passage port in a subsequent stage, including a conveying unit (5) configured to convey an article (G), an X-ray detection unit (7) configured to acquire first information relating to a size of the article (G) being conveyed by the conveying unit (5), a storage unit (10E) configured to acquire second information relating to a width of a passage chute (36), and a control unit (10) configured to output a sorting signal for sorting the article (G) from the conveying unit (5) when determining that the article (G) would get stuck in the passage chute (36) on the basis of the first information and the second information.