Circular Conveyor Sorting for Combined and Standard Delivery Districts
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing volume of general cargo in delivery centers requires more efficient handling and sorting systems that can adapt to varying cargo volumes and categories, particularly in distinguishing between combined and standard delivery districts, which complicates sorting processes and necessitates flexible capacity adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with a horizontal circular track and opposing sections, featuring receiving devices that spatially separate combined and standard district goods, allowing flexible sorting without rearranging devices, and enabling efficient use of space for loading vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sorting process checks whether combined or standard districts are located near the regional delivery center, then the sorting can be accurately performed, but the sorting processes become complex and require adjustment depending on cargo volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving devices are divided into two distinct groups (first group for combined districts, second group for standard districts) positioned at opposite sides of the circular conveyor track. This segmentation allows the system to handle different cargo types separately without complex control logic, as each group serves its specific district type independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having receiving devices arranged in a conventional linear or radial pattern requiring complex control, the invention inverts the arrangement by placing receiving devices at opposite sides of the circular track. This inversion simplifies the sorting process by allowing cargo to be diverted to appropriate receiving devices based on simple directional guidance rather than complex positional calculations.
2Quantity of substance
If the volume of general cargo increases, then the capacity requirement increases, but the existing sorting systems cannot easily adapt to varying cargo volumes and categories
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a circular conveyor track with receiving devices that can be dynamically assigned to different groups based on current cargo volume and district type requirements. The control unit can adaptively direct cargo to appropriate receiving devices in real-time, allowing the system to flexibly handle varying cargo volumes without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving devices are designed to be multi-functional, capable of serving both combined and standard districts depending on the operational requirements. The same physical infrastructure can handle different cargo types and volumes by simply changing the control parameters, eliminating the need for separate specialized systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If receiving devices are arranged to handle both combined and standard districts, then the system can handle all cargo types, but the space utilization becomes inefficient and vehicle loading capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving devices are segmented into two distinct groups positioned at opposite sides of the circular track, with each group dedicated to specific district types. This segmentation creates efficient zones for handling different cargo types, improving space utilization by eliminating unnecessary equipment in each zone while maintaining overall system versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (10) for transferring and/or sorting unit loads into discharge areas (12), comprising a conveyor device (14) with a transport surface for unit loads movable in a transport direction (16), and a plurality of receiving devices (18) for transferring the unit loads from the transport surface of the conveyor device (14) into the respective discharge area (12), wherein the conveyor device (14) is designed as a horizontal circular track and has at least two opposing sections (20a, 20b), wherein a first group of receiving devices (18a) point from the first of the two sections (20a, 20b) into an interior (22) of the circular track, and wherein a second group of receiving devices (18b) point from the second of the two sections (20a, 20b) into the interior (22) of the circular track.and wherein inside (22) the circular track at least one receiving device of the first group (18a) is arranged laterally directly next to a receiving device of the second group (18b). The invention further relates to a method for transferring and/or sorting unit loads into discharge areas (12) using the above system (10).