Elastic Wall Sorting Receptacle for Parcel Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parcel sorting installations require manual and time-consuming processes for unloading parcels from shuttle carriages, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies due to the use of slides that occupy excessive space.
Innovation Solution
The installation features autonomous shuttle carriages with sorting receptacles having a rigid bottom wall and elastic side walls that stretch to cushion parcel loading, reducing damage risks and increasing storage capacity, while eliminating the need for slides by using a retaining mechanism to maintain elastic tension during unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual unloading processes are used for parcels from sorting receptacles, then operators can handle the parcels, but the process becomes very demanding and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the bottom wall of the sorting receptacle movable rather than fixed. The bottom wall can tilt to discharge parcels automatically under gravity, transforming the static receptacle into a dynamic system that adapts its configuration for different operational phases (loading vs. unloading), thereby eliminating manual unloading operations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If slides are used to accompany packages during falling, then package deterioration is limited, but the slides occupy too much space in relation to the total space of the sorting facility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the slides from the sorting system entirely. Instead of using separate sliding structures to guide packages, the invention integrates the guiding function directly into the flexible bottom wall of the receptacle, which tilts to discharge packages directly into storage containers without requiring additional space-consuming slide structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the receptacle bottom wall and the discharge mechanism into a single integrated structure. The flexible bottom wall serves both as the containment surface during loading and as the discharge surface during unloading, eliminating the need for separate slides and reducing overall facility space requirements.
3Strength
If rigid sorting receptacles are used, then structural strength is maintained, but package damage occurs during loading due to impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the receptacle bottom wall from rigid to flexible. This parameter change allows the bottom wall to deform and absorb impact energy during package loading, reducing the harmful shock transmitted to packages while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the receptacle through its elastic properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing the bottom wall with inherent elastic flexibility that automatically cushions incoming packages during loading. This cushioning effect is built into the structure itself, providing passive protection against impact damage before packages can be damaged.
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
This solution automates parcel loading and unloading, reduces damage risks, and optimizes space usage by allowing parcels to fall by gravity, enhancing efficiency and storage capacity without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
each receptacle comprises a rigid bottom wall and elastic side walls suspended from the shuttle trolley so that the bottom wall of the receptacle extends downwards by stretching the side walls with each parcel being loaded into the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the bottom wall of the receptacle extends downwards by stretching the side walls with each parcel being loaded into the receptacle
Implementation Method 3
packages fall by gravity from the sorting conveyor into the sorting receptacles
Implementation Method 4
the retaining means is designed to retain the bottom wall in order to maintain a certain elastic tension in the side walls
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a sorting installation (1) for parcels (2) or packages, comprising a sorting conveyor (3) designed to convey parcels in a specific conveying direction (F1) and self-propelled shuttle carts (6), each equipped with a sorting receptacle (5) for parcels. The shuttle carts are designed to be positioned under the sorting conveyor in a loading position where parcels fall by gravity from the sorting conveyor into the sorting receptacles according to a specific sorting indication affixed to the parcels. Each sorting receptacle comprises a rigid bottom wall (11) and elastic side walls (12) suspended from the shuttle cart such that the bottom wall of the receptacle extends downwards, stretching the side walls with each loading of parcels into the receptacle.