Flexible Support Plane for Vibration-Free Palletizing Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional palletizing systems face limitations in layout flexibility due to the need for a two-axis handling system and are prone to vibrations, especially when handling unstable objects, which complicates the transfer process and requires additional structural rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A palletizing apparatus featuring a unidirectional mobile belt conveyor with a telescopic rigid base and a handling head with a flexible support plane that allows for stable and smooth transfer of objects between a conveyor and a handling head, enabling the use of any two-axis transfer system without layout constraints and minimizing vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional handling head with a mobile support plane is used to transfer objects from the conveyor, then the transfer operation can be performed, but the head must be moved along the longitudinal axis which limits layout flexibility and requires additional space
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the support plane laterally as in traditional systems, the patent inverts the approach by having the support plane move in the longitudinal direction (in the direction of conveyor movement) to transfer objects. This inversion eliminates the need for head movement along the longitudinal axis and removes layout constraints, allowing any two-axis transfer system to be used.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic movement of the support plane that synchronizes with the conveyor belt speed. The support plane moves longitudinally at the same speed as the conveyor to smoothly receive objects, then transitions to vertical movement for deposition. This dynamic coordination eliminates the need for additional longitudinal head movement and space.
2Reliability
If the handling head structure is made more rigid to stabilize transfers of unstable objects, then transfer stability improves, but the head becomes heavier and generates more vibrations during translation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the harmful vibration problem by inverting the movement approach: instead of translating the heavy head structure laterally (which causes vibrations), the support plane itself moves longitudinally to transfer objects. This eliminates head translation entirely, removing the source of vibrations that affect unstable objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the transfer function from the head structure and assigns it to the movable support plane. The head remains stationary or moves only vertically, while the support plane performs the longitudinal transfer movement. This separation removes the vibration-generating head translation from the system.
3Productivity
If the head is translated horizontally to drag objects from the conveyor, then the transfer operation is achieved, but significant vibrations are generated that compromise transfer operations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the head translating horizontally to drag objects, the patent inverts the mechanism: the support plane moves longitudinally in the direction of conveyor movement to receive and transfer objects. This inversion eliminates head horizontal translation, removing the vibration source while maintaining transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plane acts as an intermediary between the conveyor and the deposition point. It receives objects from the moving conveyor by moving at the same speed, then transfers them vertically to the destination. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for head translation and the associated vibrations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus is provided comprising a belt conveyor (10), a transport branch (12) of which exhibits a final tract (13) which defines a rest surface to support a group of objects (N), an end (13a) of the final tract (13) being mobile in a longitudinal direction; a handling head (40) exhibits a flexible support plane (41) which slides along guides (42) of the handling head (40) and which is capable of sliding horizontally below the group of objects until a support plane is provided for the group of objects. Functioning comprises the following stages: bringing the handling head (40) over the final tract (13), the support plane (41) being positioned laterally with respect to the group of objects; advancing a group (N) of objects on the conveyor (10) until the final tract (13) is reached. The method comprises: moving the end (13a) of the final tract (13) in a longitudinal direction between an advanced position in which the final tract (13) defines the entire rest surface for the group of objects, and a retracted position in which the rest surface disappears; moving the support plane contemporaneously and synchronously with the motion of the end of the final tract (13) until the support plane (41) is brought below the layer of objects, during which motion the forward end (43) of the support plane (41) is positioned adjacent to, and on the same horizontal plane as the end (13a) of the final tract (13).