Delivery Point Sorting Device With Three-Pass Feeder System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery point sorting methods require multiple passes through sorting machines, which increases processing time and reduces throughput rate, while also increasing the number of sorting end points and costs.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing three sorting passes with two feeders, incorporating a storage module and virtual machines to reduce sorting end points, maintain high container filling levels, and compensate for additional time requirements, allowing for efficient and cost-effective delivery point sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the number of sorting passes is increased to reduce sorting end points, then the number of sorting end points is reduced, but the sorting period increases and throughput rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sorting process into three distinct passes with two feeders, where each pass handles a specific portion of the sorting task. The first pass sorts mail using one feeder, the second pass uses the other feeder, and the third pass consolidates results. This segmentation allows the system to reduce the number of sorting end points from traditional two-pass systems while maintaining throughput by distributing work across multiple feeds rather than requiring more endpoints in a single pass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the sorting process by implementing three passes instead of two, where each pass operates at different times with different feeders. This dimensional change from spatial sorting (two passes with two feeders simultaneously) to temporal sorting (three sequential passes) allows the system to achieve the same sorting functionality with fewer physical sorting end points, as the third pass reuses endpoints from previous passes.
2Device complexity
If the number of sorting passes is increased, then the required number of sorting end points is reduced, but the sorting period increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by implementing overlapping sorting passes where the first pass feeds mail to sorting end points while the second pass simultaneously feeds mail from different end points, and the third pass consolidates results. This continuous operation across three passes ensures that mail is constantly being sorted and consolidated without idle time, reducing the total sorting period despite the additional pass, as each pass builds upon the previous one efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The first pass performs preliminary sorting of mail into groups based on delivery point sequences, preparing the mail for subsequent passes. This preliminary action organizes the mail in advance so that the second and third passes can focus on finer sorting and consolidation, reducing the overall time required compared to performing all sorting operations in fewer passes with more complex end point configurations.
3Quantity of substance
If two feeders are used in three sorting passes, then container filling levels are maintained at high levels, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where two feeders are used across three sorting passes, with each feeder capable of performing multiple functions. The same physical feeder infrastructure is reused across different passes, and the sorting end points are designed to handle mail from multiple feeders and perform multiple sorting operations. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high container filling levels by efficiently utilizing the same hardware resources across three passes rather than requiring dedicated feeders for each pass.
Data Source
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AI summary
A delivery point sorting device with two feeders for receiving and forwarding mail in streams, where a diverging apparatus divert module is configured to process the mail from the two feeders and a merge module converges the streams of mail from the two feeders and distributes the mail to respective endpoints. Sorting endpoints are used for loading the mail received from this converging apparatus. A method where items of mail are sorted through sorting passes including a first, second, and third sorting pass. Sorting passes are; processing mail through two feeders by receiving the mail by the feeders and forwarding the mail articles in streams of mail, converging the streams of mail from the feeders to a conveyor apparatus, loading the mail at sorting endpoints by the conveyor apparatus, and sequentially passing the mail through the first, second, and third sorting pass.