Cylindrical End Position Sorting Layout for Piece Goods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting technologies for piece goods, such as multiaxial industrial robots and horizontal articulated-arm robots, are complex and limited in throughput and vertical reach, while portal systems are restricted in the number of vertical end positions they can access, making efficient automatic sorting challenging.
Innovation Solution
A sorting layout with a cylindrical end position arrangement and a sorting mechanism that includes a portal robot, linear transport mechanism, rotation mechanism, lift system, and multiple pick-up elements, allowing for efficient and reliable sorting into multiple end positions arranged vertically and horizontally, with a control device to coordinate sorting based on piece good characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiaxial industrial robots or horizontal articulated-arm robots are used for sorting, then automatic sorting capability is achieved, but device complexity increases and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sorting system is segmented into a portal robot for horizontal movement, a linear transport mechanism for vertical movement, and multiple pick-up elements for individual piece good handling. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The portal robot serves multiple functions: it transports piece goods horizontally, positions them for vertical transport, and coordinates with multiple pick-up elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized mechanisms, simplifying the overall device design.
2Extent of automation
If multiaxial industrial robots are used for sorting, then automatic sorting capability is achieved, but throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from horizontal-only robot movement to a three-dimensional configuration with horizontal portal robot movement combined with vertical linear transport mechanism movement. This dimensional expansion allows multiple piece goods to be sorted simultaneously at different heights, significantly increasing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear transport mechanism continuously moves piece goods vertically while the portal robot continuously moves horizontally, creating overlapping operational cycles. This continuity eliminates idle time between sorting operations, maximizing throughput.
3Length of moving object
If portal systems are used for sorting, then horizontal transport capability is improved, but the number of vertical end positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The linear transport mechanism is nested within the portal robot structure, with the lift system integrated into the vertical support columns. This nested configuration allows the horizontal portal system to accommodate vertical transport capability, effectively combining both dimensions in a compact arrangement that increases the number of accessible end positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic pick-up elements that can be positioned at multiple vertical levels along the linear transport mechanism. These elements can be activated selectively to deliver piece goods to different vertical end positions, making the system adaptable to varying sorting requirements without requiring fixed dedicated positions for each destination.
Data Source
AI summary
A sorting layout for piece goods contains a sorting mechanism and an end position configuration. The end position configuration contains a plurality of end positions, which are arranged in cylinder fashion. The end position configuration also has end positions arranged one on top of another. The sorting mechanism is adapted to pick up piece goods being sorted and to sort them into any one of the end positions of the end position configuration.