Overhead Conveyor Bag Feeding via Hanging Adapter Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for determining the thickness of transport bags in overhead conveyor systems are time-consuming and complex, hindering efficient and trouble-free conveying in hanging conveyor systems.
Innovation Solution
Instead of determining the thickness of transport bags, the system records the number of hanging adapters on a conveyor rail to variably set the transport distance, using detection sensors and a control unit to ensure efficient conveying by calculating the average distance between adapters, allowing for contactless and reliable detection and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the thickness of transport bags is determined to set transport distance, then the conveying can be adapted to different bag types, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement task from thickness determination to adapter counting. Instead of measuring the physical dimension of each transport bag, the system counts the number of hanging adapters within a detection range. This extraction simplifies the measurement process while maintaining adaptability, as the number of adapters directly indicates the total thickness without requiring complex measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical thickness measurement system with an optical detection system that counts hanging adapters. The detection unit uses optical sensors to detect the presence and number of adapters rather than physically measuring bag thickness, thereby reducing complexity and measurement time while maintaining accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If the thickness of transport bags is determined to set transport distance, then accurate spacing can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the measurement task from thickness determination to adapter counting. Instead of measuring the physical dimension of each transport bag, the system counts the number of hanging adapters within a detection range. This extraction simplifies the measurement process while maintaining adaptability, as the number of adapters directly indicates the total thickness without requiring complex measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical thickness measurement system with an optical detection system that counts hanging adapters. The detection unit uses optical sensors to detect the presence and number of adapters rather than physically measuring bag thickness, thereby reducing complexity and measurement time while maintaining accuracy.
3Reliability
If transport bags are conveyed with variable distance based on thickness, then collision-free transport is achieved, but the system becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical thickness measurement system with an optical detection system that counts hanging adapters. The detection unit uses optical sensors to detect the presence and number of adapters rather than physically measuring bag thickness, thereby reducing complexity and measurement time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanging adapters serve dual purposes: they are both the conveying mechanism and the measurement reference. By counting the adapters themselves rather than measuring the bags, the system uses the existing components for measurement, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices and simplifying the overall system.
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
This approach simplifies the conveying process, enhances efficiency, and avoids the complexity of thickness determination, ensuring reliable and collision-free transport of transport bags in overhead conveyor systems.
Implementation Method 1
The hanging adapters are conveyed suspended along the conveyor rail. This can be achieved, for example, by gravity, by arranging the conveyor rail at an angle to the horizontal that is not zero.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for feeding transport bags (3) into a conveyor system (9) of an overhead conveyor system (1) comprises a conveyor rail (19) that can be coupled to the conveyor system (9) in a conveying manner, along which the transport bags (3) can each be conveyed suspended by means of a hanging adapter (24), a detection unit (26) for detecting the number of hanging adapters (24) arranged within a detection area (27) on the conveyor rail (19), a control unit (28) in signal communication with the detection unit (26), which is configured to variably define a transport distance (dT) for conveying the transport bags (3) by means of the conveyor system (9), and a singulation unit (21) in signal communication with the control unit (28) for singulating the hanging adapters (24) into the conveyor system (9) with the variably defined transport distance (dT).