Conveyor-Based Automated Loading Device for Sensitive Products

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated loading devices for load carriers are laborious, time-consuming, and inefficient in handling sensitive and perishable products like fruit and vegetable containers, which are often damaged by conventional robotic grippers and have low hourly output.

Innovation Solution

A device with a positioning conveyor system featuring fixed lateral distance conveyor belts and a transfer conveyor with a sliding plate and slider, allowing for precise alignment and gentle placement of loading units onto the load carrier without belt transitions, reducing the risk of damage and increasing palletizing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional robotic grippers with pincer-like grips are used to handle containers, then automated loading can be achieved, but the sensitive products inside the containers are damaged due to pressure applied to the sides of the containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated loadingVSAvoidproduct damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical gripper arm system with a conveyor-based transfer system. Load units are conveyed on a conveyor belt and transferred to the load carrier using the conveyor's depositing end, eliminating the need for mechanical gripping that applies damaging pressure to the containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt acts as an intermediary between the load unit source and the load carrier. Instead of directly gripping and placing containers, the conveyor belt transports them and allows them to be deposited gently onto the load carrier, preventing damage to sensitive products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple grippers are used for order picking to handle containers, then handling capability is improved, but the hourly output is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling capabilityVSAvoidhourly output

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor system enables continuous transport and transfer of load units without interruption. Multiple containers can be conveyed and deposited in sequence without the need for complex gripper coordination, maintaining high hourly output while preserving handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the depositing end of the feed conveyor is moved back and forth over the pallet table to place load units, then positioning flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidconveyor movement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable depositing end on the feed conveyor that can be positioned transversely to the conveying direction. This dynamic positioning capability allows flexible placement of load units at different locations on the load carrier without requiring complex multi-axis movement mechanisms, balancing adaptability with simplified mechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Extent of automation

If conventional palletizing devices are used for automated loading, then labor reduction is achieved, but the loading process becomes time-consuming and inefficient for sensitive products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated loadingVSAvoidloading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical manipulation with a streamlined conveyor-based transfer system. Load units are continuously conveyed and deposited in a single smooth motion, eliminating the time required for complex gripping, positioning, and placement operations typical of conventional automated palletizers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3954635B1Device for automatically loading a load carrier with loading units forming a load stack and method for same

Publication Date: 2024.04.24 STOCKLIN LOGISTIK

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AI summary

A device (1) for the automated loading of a load carrier (2) with loading units (5) forming a loading stack is provided, wherein the device (1) has a conveying means (17) for transporting the load carrier (2) in at least one planar direction (X direction) and one vertical axis direction (Y direction) thereto, and the device has a positioning conveying device (18) with at least two conveyor belts (12, 13, 20) for conveying the loading unit (5) towards the load carrier (2), which are movable relative to the load carrier (2) in the longitudinal direction (X direction) and in the transverse direction (Z direction), and the device has a transfer conveyor (19) for conveying the loading unit (5) onto the positioning conveying device (18), wherein the positioning conveying device (18) has a fixed lateral distance (23) between the conveyor belts (12, 13, 20) that is independent of the loading unit (5).20) to each other and the transfer conveyor (19) has a sliding plate (7) for receiving the loading unit (5) and a slide (8) which is provided for conveying the loading unit (5) on the sliding plate (7) in the direction of the conveyor belts (12, 13, 20) of the positioning conveyor device (18).