Flexible Finger Loading Channel for Gentle Package Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading methods for containers, particularly roll containers, often result in damage to packages due to improper handling and excessive drop heights, especially when packages of varying dimensions are loaded, and there is a need for efficient and gentle handling without significant design compromises.
Innovation Solution
A transport channel with adjustable finger elements, utilizing the 'Fin Ray effect', that slows down and guides packages through sequential contact with multiple finger positions, ensuring gentle handling and controlled movement into the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packages are transported through a pipe and allowed to fall into the container, then loading efficiency is improved, but package damage increases due to excessive falling distance
Solution Approach 1:
The finger elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable between curved and extended positions. In the extended position, they provide minimal interference for efficient loading. In the curved position, they actively decelerate packages to prevent damage. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between loading efficiency and package protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the finger elements by altering their curvature parameter. When finger elements are curved, they create a softer, more compliant surface that gradually decelerates packages. When extended, they minimize resistance to package flow. This parameter change enables the system to optimize for either efficiency or protection depending on the loading phase.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual handling is used to load packages, then package damage is reduced due to gentle handling, but loading efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The finger elements automatically adjust their curvature based on package contact. When a package approaches, the finger elements naturally curve to provide gentle deceleration without requiring active control. This self-adjusting mechanism replicates the gentle handling of manual operation while maintaining automated loading efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger elements serve as an intermediary between the rigid pipe structure and the fragile packages. They transform the harsh, direct drop into a gentler, controlled deceleration process. This intermediary component enables automated loading while protecting packages, bridging the gap between mechanical efficiency and gentle handling.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the inclination of the pipe is limited to reduce package speed, then package damage is reduced, but loading efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The loading system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the upper pipe section maintains steep inclination for efficiency, while the lower section incorporates adjustable finger elements for controlled deceleration. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for speed in the transport phase and for protection in the loading phase, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and damage prevention.
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
The solution effectively reduces package damage by using gravity-assisted transport with flexible finger elements that adapt to package dimensions, ensuring safe and efficient loading without additional mechanical forces.
Implementation Method 1
the at least two flexible flank elements of the finger elements are each flexibly connected to one another via a plurality of webs so that the finger elements can each be adjusted from at least one curved position to at least one extended position and back
Implementation Method 2
packages are introduced one after the other into the upper entrance of the transport channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Described and illustrated is a loading device (20) for loading a container (21), in particular a roll container, with packages, comprising a transport channel (27) for transporting the packages (22) successively towards the container (21). To make loading the containers with packages simpler and more efficient, without incurring disproportionate disadvantages with regard to possible damage to the packages, the transport channel (27) is provided to have an upper inlet (29) for feeding the packages (22) into the transport channel (27) and a lower outlet (32) for feeding the packages (22) into the container (21), and to provide in the transport channel (27) at least one upper finger position (34, 35) with at least one finger element (49) and at least one lower finger position (35, 36) with at least one finger element (49).that the at least one finger element (49) of the upper finger position (34, 35) and the lower finger position (35, 36) each have at least two flexible flank elements (2, 3) extending together from one end of the finger element (49) to the opposite end of the finger element (49), and that the at least two flexible flank elements (2, 3) of the finger elements (49) are flexibly connected to each other via a plurality of bridges (6), so that the finger elements (49) can each be adjusted from at least one curved position to at least one extended position and back.