Article Conveyance Apparatus Discharge Camera Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing article conveyance apparatus faces challenges in verifying the state of articles passing through the discharge chute due to a small space between the hopper and chute, making it difficult for workers to control the discharge operation effectively, especially when the hopper and display unit are positioned far apart, leading to increased operation time.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a discharge camera that captures images of articles passing through the discharge chute, allowing the display unit to show both the hopper operation image and discharge images simultaneously, enabling workers to verify and control the discharge operation without switching screens, thus reducing operation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the hopper and discharge chute are positioned close together to save space, then the apparatus structure is compact, but the worker cannot sufficiently verify the state of articles passing through the discharge chute

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace between hopper and discharge chuteVSAvoidverification of article state
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a discharge camera to capture images of articles passing through the discharge chute and displays them on a display unit. This creates a visual copy of the article state, allowing workers to verify article conditions without physically approaching the discharge chute, thus resolving the contradiction between compact space and sufficient verification capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge camera and display unit serve as intermediaries between the worker and the article state. Instead of directly observing articles through limited space, the worker observes the displayed images, which mediate the verification process and eliminate the need for physical proximity to the discharge chute

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the hopper and display unit are positioned far apart, then the discharge camera can capture articles effectively, but the time required for workers to verify article state and control discharge operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle state verification accuracyVSAvoidtime for discharge operation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the hopper operation image and discharge article image into a single integrated display interface. This allows workers to simultaneously view both the hopper control status and the actual article state without switching between separate screens or locations, thereby reducing operation time while maintaining verification accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the worker needs to come close to verify article state, then sufficient verification is possible, but the operation time increases and proper control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle state verificationVSAvoiddischarge operation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By creating a visual copy of the article state through the discharge camera and display unit, the system allows workers to verify article conditions from a distance. This eliminates the need to physically approach the discharge chute, maintaining verification capability while preserving operational efficiency and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3882184B1Article conveyance apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP3882184B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3882184B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3882184B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An article conveyance apparatus (1) includes: a conveyer (3); a hopper (4, 5, 6); a discharge chute (7); a display unit (111) that displays a hopper operation image (HOG) for reception of an operation to a discharge operation of the hopper (4, 5, 6). The article conveyance apparatus (1) includes a discharge camera (120) that captures a state of the article that passes through the discharge chute (7). The display unit (111) displays a discharge image (EG) captured by the discharge camera (120), together with the hopper operation image (HOG).