Integrated Conveyor System for Automatic Item Separation and Separator Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for handling items with separators are inflexible and costly due to distributed motorization and manual intervention, lacking the ability to easily separate items and recirculate separators for continuous use.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates primary and auxiliary transport means to move items and separators through a single handling system, allowing for automatic control and recirculation of separators, using various types of transport systems like vibrating, pneumatic, or magnetic, and incorporating automatic deviating devices to prevent item-separator interaction and ensure controlled accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distributed motorization and manual intervention are used to handle items and separators, then items can be separated and handled, but the system becomes inflexible and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the handling of items and separators into a single integrated conveyor system. The conveyor belt simultaneously transports both items from the first supply source and separators from the second supply source, eliminating the need for separate motorized separators. This merging approach reduces system complexity while maintaining the ability to handle and separate items effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The single conveyor system performs multiple functions: it transports items, transports separators, and enables separation of items through the interaction of these two flows. The conveyor belt serves as a universal transport medium that replaces dedicated motorized separators, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving adaptability.
2Reliability
If dedicated motorized separators are used to transfer items between conveyors, then items can be moved in a controlled way, but the system becomes complicated and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second supply source that provides separators as intermediary elements. These separators are placed on the first conveyor belt and act as mediators to control item transfer between conveyors. This approach replaces complex motorized separators with simple passive separators, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable item transfer control through the organized interaction of items and separators.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual intervention is used in item handling, then flexibility in handling different items is achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service handling where items and separators automatically organize themselves through their interaction on the conveyor belt. The separators naturally position items in desired configurations without manual intervention. This self-organizing behavior maintains handling flexibility for different item types while significantly increasing productivity by eliminating slow manual operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for handling items (1) is described, comprising primary transport means (10) to move the items (1) along at least one primary path (P), separating means (30) of the items (1), control means (40) to allow moving automatically and in an orderly way the items (1), such separating means (30) comprising auxiliary transport means (100) to move separators (2) along at least one auxiliary path (A), such auxiliary path (A) being in geometric relationship with the primary path (P) to allow such separators (2) to interact with the items (1), such primary transport means (10) allowing to move such separators (2) along the primary path (P). A process for handling items (1) combined with separators (2) is further described.