Conveying and Grouping Fragmented Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for conveying and grouping fragmented products fail to maintain the form and alignment of product groups or matrices during direction changes in the conveying process, leading to distortion and damage, especially with sensitive products, and struggle to achieve a regular fill level across multiple tracks.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that synchronize the grouping of products across multiple tracks using a first conveying device, forming defined product groups or matrices, which are then transferred to a second conveying device while maintaining alignment, using a 'pull nose belt' mechanism to ensure products are arranged at consistent spacings, allowing for flexible pattern formation and adaptation to changes in track numbers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If products are conveyed through a curved section to change direction, then the conveying process is flexible and adaptable, but the product group becomes distorted and alignment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying system is divided into separate modules: a straight conveying section for forming product groups with precise alignment, and a curved section for direction change. The product group is formed and stabilized in the straight section before being transferred to the curved section, ensuring alignment is maintained through segmentation of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The product group is formed and aligned in advance in the straight conveying section before entering the curved section. This preliminary formation ensures that the product matrix is established with correct spacing and alignment prior to direction change, preventing distortion during curvature.
2Speed
If products are moved at different speeds in a curved conveying section, then direction change is achieved, but relative alignment between products is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying system separates the formation zone (straight section) from the transfer zone (curved section). In the straight section, all products are conveyed at the same speed to maintain uniform spacing. In the curved section, speed variations are isolated to individual product transfer mechanisms rather than affecting the entire product group simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the straight and curved conveying sections. This intermediary component receives the aligned product group from the straight section and carefully transfers it to the curved section, mediating the speed changes to prevent disruption of relative product positioning.
3Productivity
If products are conveyed on multiple tracks with irregular spacing, then product flow is handled, but regular fill level cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
In the straight conveying section, products are preliminarily organized into a regular matrix pattern before reaching the curved section. This preliminary organization ensures that despite irregular input spacing, the products are arranged with uniform spacing and regular fill levels before transfer, preparing them for consistent packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the irregular one-dimensional product flow into a two-dimensional regular matrix arrangement in the straight conveying section. By organizing products across multiple tracks and positions simultaneously, the system achieves regular spacing and fill levels that cannot be obtained through simple linear adjustment.
4Manufacturing precision
If a pull nose belt mechanism is used for transfer, then product alignment is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pull nose belt mechanism combines multiple functions into a single component: it acts as both the conveying surface and the alignment guide. The belt's physical structure integrates the transfer function with the alignment function, reducing the need for separate guide rails or positioning mechanisms that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull nose belt uses a curved leading edge geometry to naturally guide products during transfer. The curved shape provides automatic alignment through geometric constraint rather than requiring complex mechanical guides, maintaining precision while simplifying the overall mechanism design.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for conveying and grouping products by supplying the products in a first conveying direction on a track by a first conveying device, wherein the products are located one behind another at arbitrary spacings; grouping the products on the track by a grouping device so that a defined number of products are arranged at defined spacings one behind another in a formed product group on the track behind the grouping device in the conveying direction; and transferring the formed product group to a second conveying device for forwarding in a second conveying direction so that the products maintain their relative alignment at the defined spacings with respect to one another in the formed product group and are essentially located side by side in a row. In a multiple-track embodiment, a product matrix is formed from several product groups which are located side by side.