Depalletizing Removal Unit Friction Vacuum Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current depalletizing systems face challenges in efficiently handling products with different forms, sizes, weights, and packaging due to instability issues when using frictional or vacuum methods, leading to high personnel expenditures and health risks.
Innovation Solution
A depalletizing system with a frictionally-engaging removal unit and a vacuum removal unit, controlled by a central unit, allowing for the use of either or both methods based on product properties, along with a pre-centering unit and a lifter for intermediate layers, to ensure stable and automated layer removal without manual labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a frictionally-engaging removal unit is used to laterally lift product layers, then automation is improved and personnel expenditures are reduced, but product deformation occurs when products or their packaging are not stable enough for lateral lifting
Solution Approach 1:
The removal unit is divided into multiple independent lifting elements (rollers and knife edges) that can be selectively applied to different product types. The system segments the lifting approach into friction-based lateral lifting for stable products and alternative methods for unstable products, allowing automation while protecting product integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the lifting parameters (method and force application) based on product properties. For unstable products, the lifting mechanism adjusts from lateral friction-based lifting to alternative approaches that prevent deformation, maintaining both automation and product stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If manual depalletizing is used to handle unstable products, then product deformation is avoided, but personnel expenditures increase and worker health is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation by using sensors and control units to automatically detect product type and select the appropriate lifting method. Unstable products are automatically handled with specialized mechanisms, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining product stability and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle both stable and unstable products using different lifting mechanisms. This universal approach replaces manual depalletizing for all product types, maintaining productivity while protecting unstable products from deformation through automated selection of appropriate handling methods.
3Device complexity
If a single removal unit design is used for all products, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different product properties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The removal unit incorporates dynamic elements that can adjust their configuration and lifting method based on detected product properties. Rollers and knife edges can be selectively activated or deactivated, allowing the system to adapt to different product types without requiring completely different hardware designs, thus balancing complexity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives product information and selects the appropriate lifting mechanism. This intermediary layer allows a single physical removal unit design to achieve high adaptability by intelligently switching between different lifting methods (friction-based lateral lifting for stable products, alternative methods for unstable products) without increasing mechanical complexity.
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
The system significantly reduces personnel expenditures and health risks by enabling reliable depalletization of various products, minimizing device-related costs and space, and achieving high automation efficiency with minimal manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
at least one friction element is laterally applicable to the layer of products to lift the layer
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum removal unit, via which a layer of products can also be lifted
Data Source
AI summary
A depalletizing system is disclosed which enables fully automatic depalletizing. Furthermore, a removal unit with at least one ‘knife edge’ is disclosed. The latter may have an all-around belt which wraps around a drive pinion and a deflection.