Bi-directional Conveyor Wedge Flights for Deposit Return Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container return systems face inefficiencies in bulk feed sorting and the return of not-accepted containers, which can be time-consuming for users.
Innovation Solution
A container return system featuring a bi-directional conveyor with pivotable wedge-shaped flights and a diverter, allowing for efficient transportation and sorting of bulk deposit return containers, with the ability to return not-accepted containers to the user through the same infeed opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If containers are returned one by one through the same opening, then user safety is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is divided into multiple segments or zones, with the return area separated from the insertion area. This segmentation allows containers to be returned in bulk through the same opening without compromising user safety, as the conveyor mechanism controls the movement and separation of containers during the return process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes bidirectional conveyor movement to create temporal and spatial separation. Containers are inserted in one direction and returned in the opposite direction, allowing bulk return operations to occur without direct user contact with moving containers, thus maintaining safety while improving productivity.
2Productivity
If a bulk of containers are processed, then productivity is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The same conveyor belt and opening are used for both inserting containers and returning containers. This multi-functional design allows the system to handle bulk container processing without requiring separate complex mechanisms for insertion and return operations, thereby improving productivity while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system dynamically changes direction and speed based on operational mode (insertion vs. return). The bidirectional capability allows the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple functions, enabling bulk processing without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If classification is performed accurately, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system operates continuously, maintaining constant movement of containers through the classification area. This continuous flow allows classification to occur without interruption or batch processing delays, achieving high accuracy through consistent inspection while minimizing loss of time through uninterrupted operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
A container return system configured to receive a bulk of deposit return containers, such as used food or beverage containers through an infeed opening, the container return system comprising: a classification unit, a bi-directional conveyor, wherein the bi-directional conveyor comprises an infeed region, an access region, and a remote region. The bi-directional conveyor comprises at least one wedge shaped flight, an elevation member configured to pivot the flight into an elevated position, and a retention member for keeping the flight in the elevated position. The access region being a region on the conveyor where the flights are in a collapsed position.