Induction System Object Routing and Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current object sortation systems are inefficient and costly due to the need for a large number of collection bins and mechanical diverts, which increase complexity and costs, while also requiring human oversight to handle varying object sizes and weights.
Innovation Solution
An induction system that evaluates object characteristics using perception units and routing systems to direct objects to appropriate processing paths, filtering out incompatible packages and routing them to specific destinations within the object processing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large number of collection bins and mechanical diverts are used for object sortation, then all objects can be sorted to all destinations simultaneously, but the system complexity and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sortation process is divided into multiple passes, with each pass handling a subset of destinations. Objects are sorted in stages rather than all at once, reducing the number of collection bins and mechanical diverts needed in any single pass while maintaining overall sortation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Objects are pre-sorted into groups based on their destination ranges before final sortation. This preliminary grouping allows the system to handle fewer destinations per pass, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining productivity through multiple organized passes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If human workers manually sort objects to collection bins, then flexibility in handling varying object sizes and weights is maintained, but labor costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Human manual sorting is replaced with an automated system using perception units, evaluation means, and programmable motion devices. The system evaluates object characteristics and automatically routes objects to appropriate collection bins, maintaining flexibility in handling varying object sizes and weights while reducing operational complexity and labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously evaluates and sorts objects without human intervention. The evaluation means assesses object characteristics and the routing system automatically directs objects to appropriate destinations, making the system self-sufficient while maintaining adaptability to different object types.
3Loss of time
If all objects are sorted to all destinations at once, then complete sortation is achieved in a single pass, but a large number of collection bins and physical space are required
Solution Approach 1:
The sortation process is segmented into multiple passes, with each pass handling a subset of destinations. This allows the system to use fewer collection bins per pass, reducing physical space requirements while maintaining complete sortation capability across all destinations through multiple organized passes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically reconfigures collection bin assignments between passes. Collection bins can be reassigned to different destination groups in subsequent passes, allowing the same physical space to serve multiple destination sets over time, thereby reducing overall space requirements while maintaining complete sortation coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An induction system for filtering the induction of objects to an object processing system is disclosed. The induction system includes an evaluation means for evaluating at least one characteristic of an object, and a routing system for routing the object in one of a plurality of directions responsive to the evaluated characteristic, at least one of the plurality of directions leading to the object processing system.