Inclined Article Transfer for Stable High-Speed Accumulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing article accumulating apparatuses face reduced processing capacity due to limitations in moving suctioned and held articles at high speeds without unintentionally releasing or dropping them, especially when articles are unstable, such as bag bodies with moving contents.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus suctions and holds articles in an inclined state where the downstream side is higher than the upstream side, using a transfer part with a robot and suction pads, allowing stable high-speed movement and overlapping accumulation by maintaining the center of gravity upstream, thus suppressing inertia effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the movement speed of the suctioned and held article is increased, then the processing capacity improves, but the article may be unintentionally released or dropped due to inertia

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidstability of held article
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the article from horizontal to inclined (downstream side higher than upstream side). This parameter change shifts the center of gravity upstream, creating a counterbalancing effect against inertia during acceleration. The suction force is applied at a point that maintains stability in the inclined state, allowing high-speed movement without releasing the article.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the article is moved horizontally without inclination, then the movement is simple, but the article becomes unstable when accelerated due to inertia

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of movementVSAvoidstability of article during acceleration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetry in the article's orientation by inclining it so that the downstream side is higher than the upstream side. This asymmetric positioning shifts the center of gravity upstream, creating a stabilizing moment that counteracts the inertial forces during acceleration. The suction pad is positioned to maintain this asymmetric inclined state during movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 approach enables stable high-speed movement and increased processing capacity by preventing unintentional release or dropping of articles, even when contents inside bags move, effectively enhancing the accumulation and packing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a suction part (15) mounted on the movable distal end portion (14a) to suction and hold the article

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4245700A1Article accumulating apparatus and packing apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP4245700A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4245700A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4245700A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An article accumulating apparatus includes a transport part configured to place and transport an article on a transporting surface, and a transfer part configured to suction and hold the article on the transporting surface and move it. The transfer part suctions and holds the article to be in an inclined state in which the downstream side of the article in a transporting direction of the transport part is inclined higher than the upstream side thereof, and moves the article in the inclined state downstream in the transporting direction.