Reception Bin Fill-Level Sensing for Automated Object Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reception systems for objects, such as product checkout systems and reverse vending machines, lack automation in conveying objects into reception devices, leading to potential errors and increased operational complexity, especially when multiple reception devices are involved.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device that emits sensor signals along different paths over the reception device to determine the fill level, allowing for the control of conveyor belt speeds and adjustment of distributing guides to optimize object placement, using infrared light or other sensors like ultrasonic and capacitive sensors to assess the fill level and guide objects accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If sensors are arranged on conveyor belt sections to detect objects, then object detection capability is improved, but the automation level for controlling multiple reception devices remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is divided into multiple independent sensor units, each capable of emitting sensor signals and detecting objects along different signal paths. This segmentation enables the system to monitor multiple reception devices simultaneously, improving automation while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor units provide real-time feedback about object presence and fill levels to the control device. This feedback mechanism enables automatic control of the distributing guide and conveyor belt, allowing the system to autonomously manage multiple reception devices based on current state information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a distributing guide is manually adjusted by operating personnel, then flexibility in guiding objects is improved, but operational complexity and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distributing guide is equipped with an actuator that enables it to adjust its own position automatically based on control signals from the control device. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the flexibility to guide objects to different reception devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment of the distributing guide is replaced with an automated actuation system. The actuator mechanically adjusts the distributing guide's position in response to electronic control signals, substituting human-operated mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple reception devices are used to increase capacity, then object receiving capability is improved, but the complexity of managing and coordinating these devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device comprises multiple sensor units that can monitor multiple reception devices using the same detection technology. This universal approach allows the system to manage multiple reception devices with a unified detection and control mechanism, increasing capacity without proportionally increasing management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each reception device is monitored by sensor units that provide real-time feedback to the control device. This feedback enables the control device to automatically coordinate and manage multiple reception devices based on their current states, simplifying the complexity of managing multiple devices through centralized automated control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conveyor belt speed is manually controlled, then adaptability to different situations is improved, but productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt speed is made dynamically adjustable through an actuator that responds to control signals from the control device. This dynamic control capability allows the system to automatically adapt conveyor speed to different situations (such as fill levels or object flow rates) while maintaining high productivity through automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor units provide feedback about object presence and fill levels to the control device, which automatically adjusts the conveyor belt speed via an actuator. This feedback-driven dynamic control enables the system to adapt to different situations automatically, maintaining both adaptability and high productivity without manual intervention.
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
This solution enhances automation by accurately determining the fill level, enabling efficient control of conveyor systems and object distribution, reducing errors and operational complexity, and allowing for intelligent management of reception devices.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor device is accordingly designed to emit sensor signals along different signal paths over the reception device, in order to conclude a fill level of the reception device on the basis of an interaction of at least one of the sensor signals with objects conveyed in the reception device
Implementation Method 2
which interact with objects located in the reception device, for example, in that signal paths are interrupted and/or sensor signals are reflected or deflected
Data Source
AI summary
A reception system for receiving objects comprises at least one reception device for receiving objects, a conveyor device, which has at least one conveyor belt section for conveying objects in a conveyance direction in the at least one reception device, and a sensor device, which is arranged on the at least one reception device, for detecting objects in the at least one reception device. It is provided in this case that the sensor device is designed to emit sensor signals along different signal paths over the reception device, to conclude a fill level of the reception device on the basis of an interaction of at least one of the sensor signals with objects conveyed into the reception device. In this manner, a reception system for receiving objects is provided, which enables further automation, in particular in the conveyance of objects into a reception device.