Container Stacking Pick-Up Head with Lateral Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container moving systems face issues with uneven stacking and difficulty in de-stacking due to boxes stacking against the pusher element and vacuum failure from drops of water or dirt, leading to potential container loss during movement.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a stacking system featuring a pick-up head equipped with suction nozzles and lateral compression sides to form and retain container layers, along with a de-stacking system for precise handling and evacuation, minimizing the risk of container loss and ensuring orderly transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a pusher element is used to push groups of boxes onto a support, then the stacking process can be automated, but the boxes tend to stack unevenly with higher concentration in the rear part and lower concentration in the front part

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated stackingVSAvoidstacking uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional pushing action by using suction nozzles to pull containers onto the support instead of pushing them. The pick-up head with suction nozzles attracts and holds containers, then transfers them to the support in a controlled manner, ensuring uniform distribution across the support surface rather than accumulation at the rear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical pusher system with a pneumatic suction system. Instead of using mechanical force to push containers, vacuum suction through nozzles is used to hold and transfer containers, providing more precise control over container placement and preventing the uneven stacking caused by mechanical pushing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If vacuum suction is used to pick up containers, then the containers can be held securely, but the vacuum may fail due to drops of water or dirt on the containers, leading to potential container loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer holding securityVSAvoidvacuum failure from water or dirt

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pick-up head is divided into multiple independent suction nozzles, each capable of holding individual containers. This segmentation allows the system to maintain grip on containers even if one nozzle becomes contaminated, as other nozzles remain functional and can compensate for the failure of a single nozzle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates lateral compression sides that apply gentle pressure to stabilize containers before they are fully engaged by the suction nozzles. This preliminary stabilization prevents containers from shifting or falling during the transfer process, compensating for potential vacuum failures caused by contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If lateral compression sides are added to retain containers, then the containers are laterally retained during transfer, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer retention during transferVSAvoidpick-up head structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral compression sides are integrated directly into the pick-up head structure, merging the retention function with the existing suction mechanism. This integration allows the compression sides and suction nozzles to work together as a unified system, providing both lateral retention and secure holding without requiring separate independent components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pick-up head is designed with multi-functionality, where the same structure serves both as the suction mechanism for holding containers and as the lateral compression mechanism for retaining containers during transfer. This universal design reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate retention components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution optimizes container movement by maintaining a stable and even stack, reducing the risk of container loss and ensuring precise and orderly transfer during both stacking and de-stacking processes.

Implementation Method 1

one or more suction nozzles (310) for sucking said group of containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12168581B2Apparatus for stacking layers of containers

Publication Date: 2024.12.17 CLEVERTECH

AI summary

An apparatus for moving containers may include a stacking system for forming several overlapping layers of containers and a feeding line for feeding the containers to the stacking system. The stacking system may include a first pick-up head for picking up a group of the containers from the feeding line to form one of the layers. The first pick-up head may include one or more suction nozzles for sucking the group of containers and lateral compression sides which laterally retain the group of containers.