H-Bot Divider Arrangement for Package Transfer Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing divider arrangements in package distribution systems face challenges in efficiently moving packages between conveyor belts without causing displacement, tilting, or rotation, while also experiencing high wear and strain on components.

Innovation Solution

A robust divider arrangement with a telescopic guiding device and sensors, attached to electric motors in an H-bot assembly, allows for longitudinal and lateral movement to match package speed, reducing wear and stabilizing packages by maintaining a level plane and using guide rails close to the conveyor belt surface to prevent tilting and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If packages are moved quickly between conveyor belts, then productivity is improved, but package stability deteriorates (packages may tilt or rotate)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of package transferVSAvoidpackage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding device is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to move in the longitudinal direction along the conveyor belts. This dynamic positioning enables the guiding device to match the speed of incoming packages, reducing relative motion and preventing package tilting or rotation during transfer, thus maintaining package stability while enabling efficient transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding device acts as an intermediary element between the first and second conveyor belts. It provides a controlled transition path for packages, using guide rails positioned close to the conveyor belt surface to constrain package movement and prevent unwanted tilting or rotation during the transfer process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If packages are moved efficiently between conveyor belts, then productivity is improved, but wear on components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of package divisionVSAvoidcomponent wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding device moves dynamically along the conveyor belts rather than remaining stationary, which reduces friction and wear between the guiding device and packages. The movement is controlled to match package speed, minimizing impact forces and reducing mechanical stress on components, thereby extending system reliability while maintaining efficient package division

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the guiding device, specifically its position and speed, to optimize the transfer process. By adjusting the guiding device's longitudinal position and matching its speed to the conveyor belts, the system achieves efficient package transfer with minimized wear on mechanical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the guiding device is positioned close to the conveyor belt surface, then package stability is improved (preventing tilting), but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackage stabilityVSAvoidguiding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding device is segmented into multiple guide rails positioned close to the conveyor belt surface. These individual rails work together to constrain package movement effectively, providing stability without requiring a single complex monolithic structure. The segmented approach allows for simpler individual components that collectively achieve the stability goal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3019424B1A divider arrangement for guiding packages between at least two conveyor belts, and method of controlling the same
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP3019424B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3019424B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3019424B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A divider arrangement (10) for guiding packages between at least two conveyor belts, comprising a guiding device (14) including a pair of lower guide rails (141,142) between which the packages may be transported by means of a conveyor belt, wherein the guiding device (14) is rigidly attached to a guiding belt (15) connected to two electric motors (161, 162) in an H-bot assembly for controllably moving the pair of lower guide rails (141,142) over conveyor belt in a plane parallel to a top surface of the conveyor belt.