Item De-Binning Conveyor Transfer for Damage-Free Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring delicate items such as fruits and vegetables from bins are imprecise, time-consuming, and prone to causing damage due to manual handling, leading to waste and increased labor costs.
Innovation Solution
An automated item transfer apparatus with a conveyor system and bin sub-frame that rotates and translates bins to gently transfer items onto a conveyor belt, minimizing impact forces and ensuring precise singulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling methods are used to transfer items from bins, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but transfer precision is poor, transfer speed is slow, and items are prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated conveyor system featuring a moving belt surface that precisely controls item transfer. The conveyor apparatus with controlled belt movement eliminates manual handling imprecision while maintaining continuous operation, thereby improving both transfer speed and precision simultaneously.
2Reliability
If manual handling is used, then device complexity is low, but item damage occurs due to impact forces and handling errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a conveyor belt as an intermediary mechanism between the bin and destination. The belt surface gently receives and transports items, controlling the transfer process to minimize impact forces and handling errors, thereby protecting item integrity while the automated control system manages the increased complexity.
3Productivity
If automated conveyor systems are implemented, then transfer efficiency and precision are improved, but system complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic conveyor belt system with controllable movement that adapts to the transfer process. The belt can be adjusted in speed and position to optimize item transfer, providing the flexibility needed to manage system complexity while maximizing transfer efficiency and precision through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods capable of transferring items from a bin are described. A de-binning system includes an item transfer apparatus including a transfer conveyor configured to move a conveyor belt surface, and a bin sub-frame coupled to the transfer conveyor and configured to receive a bin. While an item-containing bin is secured to the bin sub-frame, the bin sub-frame and the transfer conveyor are inverted to transfer the items onto the transfer conveyor, which can move the items onto a second conveyor belt. Various aspects of the present systems and methods prevent damage to the surface of delicate items being transferred.