Conveyance System Sensing for Object Characteristics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Materials handling facilities face challenges in determining the characteristics of objects being conveyed without opening the containers, such as detecting liquid contents, damage, or improper packaging, which affects routing and processing decisions.
Innovation Solution
A conveyance system equipped with sensors, including pressure-sensitive rollers and conveyor belts, measures physical attributes like weight distribution and inertial properties by inducing movements that cause changes in the object's footprint, allowing for non-invasive determination of characteristics like liquid presence or damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into the conveyance mechanism to measure physical attributes, then object characteristics can be determined without opening containers, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensing capabilities directly into the conveyance mechanism by integrating pressure-sensitive rollers and conveyor belts with sensors. This merging allows the same structure to perform both conveyance and measurement functions, enabling object characteristic determination without opening containers while avoiding the need for separate inspection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyance mechanism is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only transports objects but also measures physical attributes such as weight distribution, inertial properties, and footprint changes. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle both material handling and inspection tasks, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the conveyance mechanism induces movements to measure inertial properties, then liquid contents can be detected, but the object may be subjected to unnecessary motion
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance mechanism applies partial motion to objects by inducing small oscillations or changes in speed rather than full transportation movements. This partial action is sufficient to detect liquid contents through inertial property measurements while minimizing unnecessary object movement and potential harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses mechanical vibration or oscillation of the conveyance mechanism to induce measurable inertial responses in objects. By applying controlled vibrations, the system can detect liquid contents through changes in motion characteristics without requiring significant object displacement, thus reducing harmful effects from excessive movement.
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
Enables accurate identification of object characteristics without opening the containers, improving routing and processing efficiency by determining if contents are liquid, damaged, or poorly packed, facilitating appropriate handling and processing decisions.
Implementation Method 1
pressure-sensitive rollers
Implementation Method 2
measures physical attributes like weight distribution and inertial properties by inducing movements that cause changes in the object's footprint
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for measuring attributes of objects such as containers and container content without opening the containers are disclosed. Measurements of containers are obtained during conveyance via conveyor. For example, a sensor, such as a pressure sensing system, may measure pressure or contact between the container and the conveyor conveying the container. The measurements may be analyzed to determine characteristics of the container such as the weight, weight distribution and/or dimensions of the container. The conveyor may be configured to jostle the container such that an inertial property of the container and/or container content may be measured and analyzed. The measurements obtained may be used to ascertain a problem or characteristic of the container and/or container content without opening the container, such as damage, packing condition, number of units, presence of liquids, and the like. The method and device may be used through a materials handling facility.