Horizontal Transfer Unit for Article Layer Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer systems for groups or layers of articles face challenges in maintaining the relative positions of articles during horizontal movement, leading to potential falling or slipping, especially at high speeds, which limits the achievable transfer speeds and output in palletizing and depalletizing processes.
Innovation Solution
A transfer unit with a horizontal support surface and two bars, a push bar and a support bar, where the push bar generates a longer movement section than the support bar, allowing for synchronized or asynchronous independent control, ensuring stable transfer by maintaining the article configuration through controlled movements and friction management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If push bars or movable support surfaces are used to move groups of articles horizontally, then the articles can be transported to a defined position, but the relative positions of articles within the group may change upon reaching the final position, causing them to fall over or slip
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer system is divided into two independent bar elements (first bar and second bar) that can be controlled separately. The first bar pushes the articles from the rear, while the second bar supports them from the front, allowing independent optimization of each bar's movement profile to maintain stability at high transfer speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic, independently controllable movement profiles for both bars. The first bar can apply pushing force with controlled acceleration and deceleration, while the second bar dynamically adjusts its position to support articles during transitions, enabling high-speed transfer without compromising stability
2Reliability
If the speed is reduced before reaching the desired final position to avoid abrupt slowing, then the risk of articles falling over is reduced, but the transfer time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The second bar is positioned in advance to support the articles before the first bar completes its pushing action. This preliminary positioning allows the system to maintain high speeds throughout the transfer while the second bar is already in place to prevent falling during the final deceleration phase
Solution Approach 2:
The second bar acts as an intermediary element between the pushing action of the first bar and the final position. It provides continuous support during the transfer process, allowing high-speed operation without the need for speed reduction, thereby maintaining both productivity and reliability
3Reliability
If a frame surrounding the articles is used to move them, then the articles can be transported stably, but other conveyor or handling elements must wait until the frame has returned, reducing overall system output
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single frame structure that must return to its initial position, the system segments the support function into two independent bars. The first bar can return independently after pushing, while the second bar remains in position to support articles, eliminating the waiting time and allowing continuous operation at high output rates
Solution Approach 2:
The first bar operates in periodic cycles (pushing articles, returning to initial position) while the second bar provides continuous support. This periodic action of the first bar combined with the continuous action of the second bar allows high-speed transfer without requiring other system elements to wait, thereby maximizing total output
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
Enables high-speed transfer of article groups without compromising their formation, preventing slipping or falling, and allowing for rapid deceleration and stabilization, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of palletizing and depalletizing processes.
Implementation Method 1
there is a certain risk that, upon reaching the final position, the articles will have moved relative to one another within the group... some articles may even fall over... the greatest risk of falling over or slipping applies to the articles at the very front
Implementation Method 2
a second bar or support bar frontally contacting the layer of articles, which is at least temporarily coupled with the push bar for its movement in the direction of transfer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a transfer unit (34) for horizontal movement of a group or layer of articles (10) between at least two adjacent modules (12, 14, 30) while substantially maintaining the relative positions of a plurality of articles (16) constituting the group or layer of articles (10). The transfer unit (34) comprises a horizontal support surface (24) for the layer of articles (10), at least one first bar (46) or push bar for horizontally moving the layer of articles (10) that contacts the rear of the group or layer of articles in the direction of transport or feed to an adjacent module (14, 30) and at least one second bar (40) or support bar contacting the front of the layer of articles (10), the movements of which are at least temporarily coupled with the push bar or first bar (20) in the direction of transfer (20), A first horizontal section of the movement of the first bar (46) or push bar, to generate the horizontal pushing movement at the level of the layer of articles (10) moving on the support surface (24) is longer than a second horizontal section of the movement of the second bar (40) or support bar to generate the horizontal supporting movement for the layer of articles (10).