Dynamic Sorting System Workload Redistribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting systems lack flexibility to adapt to varying workloads and machine failures, leading to inefficiencies and potential delivery delays due to a fixed number of sorting machines and static assignment of groups.
Innovation Solution
A method that dynamically adjusts the distribution of objects between sorting machines by subdividing groups into sub-groups, allowing redistribution of workload among available machines, even after group formation, to accommodate changes in workload or machine availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of sorting machines is fixed and groups are assigned in advance, then the sorting process is simple to manage, but the system cannot adapt to varying workloads or machine failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides object groups into multiple subgroups that can be independently assigned to different sorting machines. This segmentation allows flexible redistribution of workloads when machines become unavailable or when workload varies, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by enabling dynamic reconfiguration without requiring complete redesign of the sorting organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic assignment of subgroups to sorting machines based on real-time machine availability and workload conditions. Instead of static pre-assignment, the system continuously adapts the sorting organization by redistributing subgroups among available machines, achieving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through automated dynamic adjustment
2Reliability
If more sorting machines are acquired to handle potential failures, then system reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes sorting machines universal by enabling them to process multiple different subgroups through dynamic reassignment. Each machine can handle various types of objects by receiving different subgroup assignments, allowing the system to maintain reliability during failures without requiring dedicated machines for each object type, thus avoiding increased device complexity
3Productivity
If groups are processed simultaneously on parallel machines, then processing speed increases, but flexibility to adapt to machine failures decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting groups into smaller subgroups, the patent enables both parallel processing and flexible redistribution. Multiple subgroups can be processed simultaneously on different machines maintaining high productivity, while the segmented structure allows quick reallocation of subgroups if a machine fails, preserving adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary division of groups into subgroups before sorting, preparing the structure for both parallel processing and potential redistribution. This preliminary action enables the system to maintain high productivity through parallel processing while having the flexibility to redistribute subgroups if machine failures occur
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A.1~2B.2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for sorting objects using a sorting system comprising N sorting machines (M1, MN) operating in parallel, wherein the objects are divided into N groups (G1, GN) of objects to be processed in parallel on the N sorting machines, at least one of the N groups of objects is subdivided into subgroups of objects (G1.1, G1.N-1), and, if it is detected that one of the N machines is idle, then the method comprises the steps in which the N-1 other sorting machines are fed with the subgroups of objects from said subdivided group of objects and these subgroups of objects are sorted in parallel on the N-1 other sorting machines and the N-1 other sorting machines are fed with the N-1 other groups of objects and these N-1 groups of objects are sorted in parallel on the N-1 other sorting machines.