Continuous Conveyor Handling Piece Goods Without Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling and positioning piece goods in rows for palletizing are inefficient due to discontinuous conveyance, mechanical stresses, and high computing and control efforts, which affect precision and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that maintain piece goods in a closed formation without gaps, using a manipulator and horizontal conveyor to detect and correct any deviations, ensuring continuous and precise handling with minimal computing and control effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If discontinuous conveyance with abrupt changes in speed or direction is used to assemble layers, then layer formation can be achieved, but high mechanical stresses act on the piece goods which can be detrimental to product handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous conveyance of piece goods through the positioning station without interruption. The conveyor belt maintains constant motion while piece goods are positioned using optical sensors and controlled speed adjustments, eliminating the start-stop cycles and abrupt direction changes of traditional discontinuous systems. This continuous action maintains layer formation capability while preventing mechanical stress damage to products.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual piece goods are transferred from allocating belt to conveyor belt using speed difference and optical sensors, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the structure becomes relatively expensive and complicated requiring large number of belts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the allocating belt and positioning conveyor into a single continuous conveyor belt system. Piece goods are positioned on the same belt that transports them, eliminating the need for separate transfer belts and complex inter-belt coordination. This merging maintains precise positioning capability through optical sensing and controlled speed variations while dramatically reducing the number of belts and mechanical interfaces required.
Solution Approach 2:
The single conveyor belt performs multiple functions: it acts as both the allocating belt for receiving piece goods and the positioning conveyor for precise placement. The belt's speed can be dynamically adjusted to perform different tasks along its length, such as accelerating to close gaps or decelerating for precise positioning, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized belts.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple conveyor belts are used for spacing and rotation of packaged goods, then desired spacing can be achieved, but the device structure becomes relatively expensive and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic speed control of a single conveyor belt to achieve precise spacing of piece goods. Optical sensors detect the position of each good, and the belt speed is continuously adjusted in real-time to maintain desired spacing. This dynamic adjustment replaces static multi-belt mechanisms, achieving the same spacing precision with a simpler, more adaptable single-belt structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) and a method for handling unit loads (2) moved successively in at least one row (1), wherein, in a desired state, no gaps are formed between successively arranged unit loads. The device (10) comprises at least one manipulator (5) for unit loads (2), at least one transport device (3) by which the moved unit loads (2) can be transported in at least one row (1) to a detection area (4) of the at least one manipulator (5), and at least one horizontal conveying device (6) associated with the detection area (4) and/or a movement space of the at least one manipulator (5), by which the moved unit loads (2) can be transported in the detection area (4) of the at least one manipulator (5).Furthermore, at least one first detection means (30) assigned to the transport device (3) is provided for detecting a distance (A) occurring in deviation from the target state or several distances (A) occurring in deviation from the target state between unit goods (2) transported successively within the row (1), wherein at least one conveying component of the device (10) is controllable when detecting the distance (A) or distances (A) between unit goods (2) transported successively within the row (1), in particular the at least one transport device (3) and/or the at least one horizontal conveying device (6) and/or the at least one manipulator (5).