Height-Offset Conveyor Gap for Underside Barcode Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for optically scanning machine-readable markings on objects resting on conveyor belts struggle to reliably detect markings on the underside of small objects, as they require a large horizontal gap between conveyor belts, leading to issues with object transfer and damage.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a height-offset arrangement between the conveyor belts, allowing for a gap that can accommodate small objects without a horizontal gap component, along with a transparent inclined cover and tilted scanning elements to ensure reliable detection and prevent object fall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a large horizontal gap is provided between conveyor belts to enable underside scanning, then scanning capability is improved, but small objects cannot be transferred reliably and may fall through the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal gap arrangement to a vertical height offset arrangement between conveyor belts. By positioning the second conveyor belt at a different vertical level than the first, the system creates a gap that allows underside scanning while preventing horizontal separation that would cause object loss. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for large horizontal gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transparent cover as an intermediary element between the two conveyor belts at the gap location. This cover serves dual functions: it maintains the vertical gap structure that enables underside scanning while providing a protective barrier that prevents small objects from falling through the gap during transfer.
2Reliability
If a transparent cover is added in the gap area to prevent object fall, then object transfer reliability is improved, but small objects still do not rest on conveyor belts and cannot be conveyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the transparent cover at an inclined angle rather than a horizontal orientation. This angular positioning in three-dimensional space allows small objects to roll or slide along the cover surface from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt, maintaining conveyance capability while preventing object loss through the vertical gap.
3Device complexity
If conveyor belts are arranged at the same height to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but underside scanning of small objects becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical height offset between the two conveyor belts, moving from a two-dimensional horizontal arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration. This vertical positioning enables the scanning element to access the underside of objects while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint, improving detection accuracy without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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 enables the automatic and reliable detection of machine-readable markings on small objects, reducing mechanical stress and preventing damage, while maintaining a cost-effective and robust design.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning device for scanning the machine-readable marking, the scanning device having at least one scanning element assigned to the gap
Implementation Method 2
the object tilts when it is transferred from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt solely due to gravity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for optically scanning a machine-readable marking applied to an object, comprising a transport apparatus for transporting the object in a transport direction, the object being supported on the transport apparatus at the underside of the object, the transport apparatus containing a first transport belt having a first upper strand and a second transport belt having a second upper strand, wherein a gap is formed between the first transport belt and the second transport belt, which is arranged in front of the first transport belt in the transport direction, and comprising a scanning apparatus for scanning the machine-readable marking, wherein the scanning apparatus comprises at least one scanning element associated with the gap, wherein the first upper strand and the second upper strand are arranged so as to have a height offset relative to each other in such a way that the bottom side of the object can be scanned by the scanning element by tipping the object when the object is transferred from the first transport belt to the second transport belt.