Conveyor Pusher Positioning for Stable High-Capacity Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting systems face inefficiencies and reliability issues, particularly with unstable products like bags, as they often displace or move undesirably on conveyors, reducing sorting capacity and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A sorting system with a central control server, conveyor, and movable pusher bodies, controlled to ensure that only one intermediate combination between two products is free, with pusher bodies positioned within the products' widths, using sensors like photocells or vision systems to optimize product placement and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If products are conveyed on a conveyor with multiple combinations of carrying bodies and pusher bodies, then sorting capacity is increased, but products may displace or move undesirably on the conveyor
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher body is moved to a position within the widths of two successive products before sorting occurs. This preliminary positioning prevents products from displacing or moving undesirably during conveyance, while still allowing high sorting capacity through the use of multiple combinations of carrying bodies and pusher bodies
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate combination between two successive products is kept free from products, creating a buffer zone. This intermediary space prevents product displacement while maintaining high sorting capacity through optimized conveyor control
2Reliability
If pusher bodies are positioned to prevent product displacement, then product stability is improved, but sorting efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher body is positioned within the widths of two successive products rather than directly on them. This partial positioning provides sufficient stability prevention while minimizing interference with sorting operations, maintaining high sorting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher body moving device dynamically adjusts the position of the pusher body along the carrying body based on real-time product positions and sorting requirements. This dynamic adjustment ensures product stability when needed while allowing efficient sorting operations to proceed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a sorting system for sorting products, comprising a central control server, a conveyor, movable, successive combinations of an elongated carrying body and a pusher body, a supply device for products, each combination further being provided with a pusher body moving device with a driving device for moving the pusher body along the carrying body, wherein the sorting system is provided, per combination or per group of combinations, with a controller, wherein the central control server and the controllers are configured to ensure that in operation, the supply device and the conveyor are controlled in such a way that the carrying body associated with not more and not less than one intermediate combination located between two successive products, is free from the two successive products and so that the pusher body moving device thereof moves the pusher body to a position in which it is located within the widths of the two successive products.