Discharge Belt Synchronous Unloading for Parcel Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing unloading devices are inadequate for safely unloading a large number of piece goods, such as parcels, from transport containers as they often result in damage due to collision and require manual handling, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that partially opens the transport container's filling opening to create an unloading opening, using a pull-off strap and discharge belt to gently guide piece goods out, reducing the risk of collision and damage by controlling the fall height and speed, and allowing for automated unloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If packages are unloaded by tilting the transport container onto a conveyor belt, then unloading speed is improved, but packages collide and get damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunloading speedVSAvoidpackage damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A discharge belt is introduced as an intermediary element between the transport container and the conveyor belt. This discharge belt moves synchronously with the transport container during tilting, providing a controlled surface that gradually releases packages onto the conveyor belt, preventing direct collision and damage while maintaining efficient unloading speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the filling opening is fully opened for unloading, then unloading capacity is improved, but piece goods fall too far and get damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunloading capacityVSAvoidfall damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge belt is designed to move dynamically together with the transport container during the tilting process. This dynamic movement ensures that the discharge opening remains at an optimal position, allowing piece goods to be discharged gradually at a controlled height rather than falling freely from the top of the container, thus preventing damage while maintaining unloading capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If manual handling is used to unload packages, then package damage is reduced, but unloading time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage damageVSAvoidunloading time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated unloading where the transport container itself, through controlled tilting and synchronous movement of the discharge belt, performs the unloading function. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual handling while maintaining gentle package discharge, thus reducing both unloading time and costs without increasing package damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 automated unloading of a large number of piece goods without damage, reducing unloading time and costs, and allowing for quicker processing and sorting, thereby improving logistics and reducing warehousing needs.

Implementation Method 1

The discharge belt (12) is moved in a synchronous manner with the transport container (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSynchronous movement:

Implementation Method 2

The transport container (16) is tilted in such a way that at least one unit load (38) is dumped onto the discharge belt (12) via the unloading opening (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2281762B1Method for unloading a plurality of articles and unloading device
Publication Date: 2012.05.09 RED PARCEL POST
  • EP2281762B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2281762B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2281762B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Opening of the transport container (16) is commenced high up in a container wall. An opening is formed by only slight lowering of the moving upper edge (28) from an initial position near the top (20). An extraction conveyor belt (12) is positioned at the high opening. The container is tilted to remove packages. The edge (28) and end of the belt adjacent to it are moved downwardly towards the lower edge (22) of the container. An independent claim IS INCLUDED FOR corresponding package unloading equipment.