Flow Diverter Accumulation Channels for High-Speed Packaging Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accumulation table systems face inefficiencies at high speeds and complexities in handling diverse product formats, particularly for delicate items, leading to flow disruptions and increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
A system with parallel accumulation channels, a single-row conveyor belt, and a configurable flow diverter device that switches between configurations to distribute objects continuously across multiple channels, using a sliding loading guide and telescopic diverter mechanism to maintain uninterrupted operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable curved guide is used to dynamically accumulate products, then accumulation capability is improved, but speed and efficiency deteriorate due to flow stoppage and guide shifting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulation table is divided into multiple parallel channels (first channel, second channel, etc.) that operate independently. Objects are distributed among these channels, allowing continuous accumulation without requiring the entire system to stop or reconfigure. This segmentation enables high-speed operation while maintaining accumulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow diverter device acts as an intermediary between the conveyor belt and the accumulation channels. This diverter directs objects into different channels based on accumulation needs, enabling dynamic distribution without physical guide shifting. The diverter mechanism allows rapid channel switching without interrupting the overall flow, maintaining high productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manipulating robots are used to move rows on the accumulation table, then object handling capability is improved, but device complexity and control logic complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive gravity-fed accumulation channels where objects naturally flow and accumulate without active manipulation. The parallel channel design allows objects to self-organize into rows as they accumulate, eliminating the need for complex robotic manipulation and simplifying control logic while maintaining handling capability.
3Ease of operation
If a dosing device mounted in fixed position is used to regulate object flow, then flow control capability is improved, but speed capability deteriorates due to flow stoppage and queue emptying requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The flow diverter device provides dynamic flow control by actively directing objects into different accumulation channels based on real-time needs. This dynamic distribution eliminates the need for fixed-position dosing devices that require stopping to empty queues, allowing continuous high-speed operation while maintaining precise flow control capability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Apparatus (1) for transferring and accumulating objects (100) comprising: - a plurality of accumulation channels (3) parallel to one another; - a single-row conveyor belt (4) of objects (100) upstream of the accumulation channels (3); - at least one loading guide (10) slidingly mounted relative to the conveyor belt (4) and having a curvilinear portion so as to be able to transfer the objects (100) from the conveyor belt (4) to the accumulation channels (3); - a flow diverter device (12) interposed between the loading guide (10) and the accumulation channels (3), said diverter device (12) comprising a distributor channel (120) extending along a distribution direction (D3) and shaped to receive the objects (100) from the loading guide (10) and to direct them exclusively towards one of the accumulation channels (3), said diverter device (12) being configurable in at least: - a first configuration, in which the distribution direction (D3) is substantially parallel with respect to the accumulation direction (D1), so as to direct the flow of objects (100) towards a first accumulation channel (3); - a second configuration, in which the distribution direction (D3) is inclined with respect to the accumulation direction (D1), so as to direct the flow of objects (100) towards a second accumulation channel (3), adjacent to the first.