Depalletizing Mechanical Stop for Piece Goods
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Solution Overview
Problem
In intralogistics, automated depalletizing and picking of piece goods are challenging due to the variety of goods handled, with existing roll-on grippers causing damage and inefficiency due to full-surface contact and rigid packaging deformation, as well as misalignment and uneven stacking leading to frictional issues and potential damage during the picking process.
Innovation Solution
A device with a spatially positionable mechanical stop and support structure that allows for one-sided engagement and tilting of piece goods, using a strip-shaped stop to create a wedge-shaped gap for the gripping device, minimizing contact with the rear edge and reducing tilting forces, and incorporating a limiting structure to prevent uncontrolled tipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical stop is used to prevent backward slipping of piece goods, then reliability is improved, but the piece goods cannot tip freely and may be deformed, worsening manufacturing precision and increasing object-affected harmful factors
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical stop is segmented into a first stop element and a second stop element positioned at different locations. The first stop element engages the rear lower region of the piece goods to prevent backward slipping, while the second stop element engages the rear upper region to enable free tipping motion. This segmentation allows different regions of the piece goods to have different interaction characteristics with the stop mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mechanical stop have different functional properties. The first stop element provides rigid support to prevent slipping, while the second stop element allows rotational freedom for tipping. This local differentiation of functional quality resolves the contradiction between securing the piece goods and allowing free motion for pickup.
2Productivity
If roll-on grippers are used to pick up piece goods, then productivity is improved, but the frictional contact and rolling forces cause deformation and damage, worsening manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical stop is positioned and configured in advance to create optimal tipping conditions before the roll-on gripper engages. By pre-establishing the tilting moment through the stop elements, the piece goods are prepared for pickup in a way that minimizes deformation during the actual gripping and rolling action.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical stop acts as an intermediary element between the piece goods and the roll-on gripper. It mediates the interaction by providing the necessary tilting moment and motion guidance, allowing the gripper to pick up piece goods with less direct force application and reduced deformation risk.
3Reliability
If the mechanical stop is positioned to prevent slipping, then reliability is improved, but the tilting forces required increase, worsening use of energy
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical stop is positioned to create a natural tilting axis that aligns with the center of gravity of the piece goods. By engaging both the lower and upper rear regions, the stop creates a balanced moment arm configuration that reduces the energy required for tilting while maintaining secure engagement throughout the pickup process.
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 safe, efficient, and gentle depalletizing by reducing the effort and energy required for piece goods pickup, minimizing damage, and allowing quick and secure removal of goods from stacks with varying geometries and orientations.
Implementation Method 1
a tilting moment oriented around a tilting axis predetermined by the mechanical stop acts on the piece goods
Implementation Method 2
the rubber roller or the conveyor belt guided by a roller forms a local frictional connection with the unit load to be picked up and locally lifts or lowers the object
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention describes a device and a method for depalletizing unit loads arranged along individual stacking levels in a stationary stack, comprising a gripping device that can be positioned spatially relative to the stacking structure. This gripping device is capable of picking up individual unit loads by engaging a unit load on one side, subsequently tilting and moving underneath the unit load. The invention is characterized by the provision of a spatially positionable mechanical stop, which can be positioned opposite the gripping device on each unit load to be picked up, within the stacking level of the unit load. The stop can be brought into contact with the unit load and is designed such that, upon engagement of the gripping device with the unit load and simultaneous mechanical interaction between the unit load and the stop, a tilting moment oriented about a tilting axis defined by the mechanical stop acts on the unit load.