Compartmentalized Loading Apparatus for Bulk Goods Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing goods transfer devices in automatic warehouses face challenges in efficient and rapid loading, particularly in high-throughput environments, where manual input is difficult and requires user presence, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks due to high-speed manipulator operations.
Innovation Solution
A goods transfer device with a loading device featuring a container with multiple compartments and individually controllable retaining flaps, allowing for bulk good storage and automatic transfer to the warehouse, enabling quick filling and sorting without manual intervention, and incorporating a conveyor system for efficient unloading and sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual loading is used for the goods transfer device, then the device can be operated with simple structure, but the loading speed is slow and user presence is required continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The loading device is divided into multiple compartments (first compartment, second compartment, etc.), each capable of being filled independently with bulk goods. This segmentation allows parallel loading operations and enables the system to handle multiple goods types simultaneously, dramatically increasing loading speed without requiring continuous manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Goods are pre-filled into compartments in bulk before being transferred to the goods transfer device. The compartments can be filled in advance and then emptied automatically when needed, separating the loading preparation phase from the transfer phase. This preliminary action eliminates the need for continuous manual loading during operation.
2Productivity
If manual input is used for high-throughput warehouses, then the system remains simple to operate, but the loading speed cannot meet high throughput requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The loading device enables self-service operation where bulk goods are poured into compartments automatically, and the retaining flaps control the release of goods without continuous manual intervention. Once filled, the system can autonomously manage the transfer process by opening retaining flaps as needed, reducing the need for continuous user presence while maintaining high throughput capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The compartments act as intermediary storage elements between bulk goods input and the goods transfer device. Goods are first collected in compartments, then released in controlled quantities to the transfer device. This intermediary mechanism decouples the loading rate from the transfer rate, allowing high-speed bulk loading without requiring continuous manual operation during transfer.
3Productivity
If identical goods are placed in the same transfer channel manually, then sorting accuracy is maintained, but the loading process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Different compartments are designated for different goods types, with each compartment maintaining its own retaining flap. This segmentation allows multiple goods types to be loaded simultaneously into different compartments without mixing, preserving sorting accuracy while enabling parallel loading operations that increase overall loading speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Goods are pre-sorted into different compartments during the bulk filling phase before transfer begins. This preliminary sorting action ensures that when goods are transferred, they are already organized by type, eliminating the need for additional sorting operations during the transfer process and maintaining accuracy while speeding up operations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A loading apparatus (1) for an article-transfer apparatus of an automatic warehouse, which is suitable in particular for receiving articles in the form of bulk material and transferring the same to the article-transfer apparatus, has at least one container (2) with a plurality of compartments, wherein the compartments each have a loading opening (5) for introduction of the articles and an unloading opening (7) for discharge of the articles, wherein the unloading openings (7) are formed on an underside of the container (2) and can each be closed by at least one restraining flap (9), wherein the restraining flaps (9) form the base of the container (2), at least in part, and wherein each restraining flap (9) can be controlled separately for opening purposes.