Dual Loading Plates for Palletizing Edge Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Palletizing devices with single loading sheets achieve high operating speed but result in irregular stacking edges due to gaps in layer patterns, while devices with movable loading plates achieve precise edges but at the cost of lower working speed and longer cycle times.

Innovation Solution

A palletizing device using two separate loading plates that remain apart during loading and unloading, allowing for precise edge alignment without requiring the plates to be moved together after unloading, thus maintaining high working speed and shortening cycle times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single loading sheet is used in palletizers, then high operating speed is achieved, but irregular stacking edges occur due to gaps in layer patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating speedVSAvoidstacking edge uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single loading sheet is divided into two separate loading sheets (first and second loading sheets). Each loading sheet handles a portion of the layer formation process, allowing independent control and alignment of piece goods on each sheet. This segmentation enables precise edge alignment even when layer patterns have gaps, as each loading sheet can be independently positioned and controlled to maintain stacking precision while preserving high operating speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If two separate loading plates are moved apart to achieve precise edges, then stacking precision is improved, but additional movements increase cycle times and reduce working speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge alignment precisionVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The two loading sheets are moved apart in advance during the loading phase, before the transfer to the stacking area. This preliminary separation allows piece goods to be loaded and aligned on each loading sheet independently while they are still accessible at the loading position. By performing the alignment action beforehand, the sheets can remain separated throughout the transfer process without requiring additional time-consuming movements after unloading, thus maintaining short cycle times while achieving precise edge alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The loading sheets are designed to be dynamically adjustable in their relative positions. The system can switch between having the sheets close together during loading and having them moved apart during transfer and unloading. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize for precision during critical alignment phases while maintaining efficiency during other phases, eliminating the need for additional movements that would increase cycle times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2103556B2Paletting device
Publication Date: 2016.07.13 SCHAEFER FORDERANLAGEN & MASCHENBAU
  • EP2103556B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2103556B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2103556B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has a packaged goods supply station (3), and a transmission device (4) for transmission of packaged goods from the supply station to a palette (1). The transmission device has two supporting planes (5) e.g. loading plates (6), and a loading device (9) is provided for loading one of the supporting plates with the packaged goods. A control device (11) is designed for controlling displacement of the planes, such that the planes are moved together over the palette after the loading and moved apart over the palette for unloading of the goods under relative movement. An independent claim is also included for a method for loading a palette with packaged goods.