Horizontal Transfer of Article Layers Between Conveyor Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing palletizing methods require stationary support surfaces, leading to inefficiencies as transfer of article layers can only begin after the loading station or transfer platform has reached a stationary position, resulting in increased transfer times and waiting periods.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a method where the support levels of conveyor modules are equipped with oscillating horizontal movements, allowing for the transfer of article layers to start before the loading station reaches the delivery position, and enabling vertical lifting movements during the transfer process, thus reducing waiting times and enhancing processing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If stationary support surfaces are used for transferring article layers, then the transfer process is simple to control, but the transfer time increases due to waiting periods
Solution Approach 1:
The support surfaces of both the first and second conveyor modules are made horizontally movable instead of stationary. The first support surface can move horizontally to meet the second support surface, enabling the transfer of article layers to begin before the loading station reaches the delivery position. This dynamic approach eliminates waiting periods and reduces transfer time, directly resolving the technical contradiction between transfer speed and device complexity.
2Productivity
If the loading station waits to reach a stationary position before transferring article layers, then the transfer is stable and controlled, but the processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The first support surface moves horizontally in advance to meet the second support surface before the loading station completes its movement to the delivery position. This preliminary positioning action allows the transfer of article layers to start earlier, overlapping the transfer process with the loading station's movement, thereby increasing processing speed while maintaining transfer stability through coordinated motion control.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontally movable support surfaces enable continuous transfer operations without interruption. The first support surface continuously moves to meet the second support surface, allowing article layers to be transferred without waiting for the loading station to reach a stationary position. This continuous action eliminates idle waiting periods and maintains steady processing speed, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
3Loss of time
If vertical lifting movements are performed after transfer completion, then the transfer process is simplified, but the overall cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal transfer movement and vertical lifting movement are merged into a single coordinated operation. While the article layers are being transferred horizontally from the first to the second support surface, the second conveyor module simultaneously performs vertical lifting. This combination of movements in space and time eliminates sequential execution, reducing cycle time without excessive increase in control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer process is extended from a single horizontal dimension to include vertical movement simultaneously. The second conveyor module adds vertical lifting capability while the first support surface performs horizontal movement. This multi-dimensional approach allows transfer and positioning to occur concurrently, reducing overall cycle time while managing device complexity through coordinated multi-axis control.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention comprises a method for the horizontal displacement (26) of groups or layers of articles (10) from a first support surface (22) of a first conveying module (12) to a vertically movable second support surface (24) of a second conveying module (14) immediately downstream of the first conveying module (12) in a conveying direction, in particular by means of at least one transfer device (18) which remains spatially associated with the first conveying module (12) during the transfer movement (26). The transferred group or layer of articles (10) is moved in the conveying direction and/or centered on the second conveying module (14) by means of a horizontally movable support surface (32) shortly before or after the transfer device (18) reaches an end position on the second conveying module (14), before or during which the second conveying module (14) performs a vertical lifting movement (42).The invention further comprises a corresponding device for the horizontal displacement of groups or layers of articles (10) from a first conveying module (22) to a second conveying module (14), in particular by means of a suitable transfer device (18). The second conveying module (14) has a support plane (24, 32) that is movable and/or oscillatable in the horizontal direction between two end positions (38, 50), which in the first end position (38) is positioned directly or close to the first conveying module (12), and which in the second end position (50) is at least slightly removed from the first conveying module (12) and/or approximately centered with respect to the second support plane (24, 32).