Depalletising Head and Support Layout for Damage-Free Layer Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing depalletising systems risk damaging containers and interposed sheets due to confinement walls during the lifting process, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A depalletising system that uses a removal head with suction and sliding mechanisms, along with adjustable sidewalls and a movable unloading support, to lift and move layers without confinement walls, ensuring minimal disruption and precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If confinement walls are used to position the stack of products, then the stack remains arranged according to predefined position, but the confinement walls risk hitting, damaging, moving the containers, the layers of containers or the interposed interlayer sheets during lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the confinement walls from the positioning zone, extracting the harmful element that caused damage to containers and interlayer sheets while maintaining positioning functionality through alternative means (positioning sensors and controlled lifting mechanisms).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary positioning system using sensors and controlled lifting mechanisms instead of direct physical confinement walls, allowing the stack to be positioned and lifted without risk of contact damage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If confinement walls are used to constrain the stack, then the layers remain in predefined position, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex confinement wall structure from the positioning zone, reducing device complexity while maintaining layer positioning stability through sensor-based control and simplified lifting mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the upper layer is removed by gripping head and moved along conveying line, then depalletising is achieved, but the lifting process risks damaging containers and interlayer sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful confinement walls from the positioning zone, enabling safe lifting and removal of upper layers without risk of damage to containers or interlayer sheets, while maintaining efficient depalletising operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and damage-free depalletising of loose container layers by minimizing contact and adapting to non-uniform orientations, optimizing container movement and reducing the risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
The removal head 3 comprises suction means 30. They perform a suction action on the layer of containers. This causes a stiffening of the layer of containers, which are constrained to the head 3 by suction.
Data Source
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AI summary
A depalletising system, comprising: - a zone (2) for positioning a stack of layers of loose containers; - a head (3) for removing an upper layer of said layers of the stack; said removal head (3) being suitable for moving said upper layer by sliding; said removal head (3) comprising at least one sidewall (31) for pushing the upper layer; - an unloading support (4) movable with respect to the stack and that allows the upper layer moved by the removal head (3) to be supported; - sensor means (5) that allow the reaching of a desired position of the support (4) with respect to the upper layer to be detected.