Lateral Clamping Strip Grouping Device for Parallel Conveyor Lanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper systems for grouping and palletizing articles require a time-consuming z-stroke movement, increasing cycle time due to the need for lifting and complex axis systems, which can lead to collisions and inefficiencies in handling and distribution.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using three interacting clamping strips that shift articles laterally in a horizontal plane, allowing for alternating pairs to detect and move groups of articles into parallel conveyor lanes without the need for vertical lifting, thus eliminating the z-stroke and reducing mass and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamp gripper lifts packages in a z-stroke before returning horizontally, then collision with already moved packages is prevented, but cycle time increases and masses to be moved become relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the movement dimension from vertical (z-stroke) to horizontal (y-direction) by using laterally displaceable push bars that deflect packages sideways into parallel conveying lanes, eliminating the need for time-consuming vertical lifting movements while maintaining collision avoidance through spatial separation
2Speed
If a drive motor for the z-axis is carried on the axis system, then lifting movement is enabled, but the masses to be moved become relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the vertical z-axis drive system with a horizontal y-direction drive system using push bars that move laterally, thereby eliminating the need for heavy z-axis motors mounted on moving components and significantly reducing the masses to be accelerated and decelerated during each cycle
3Productivity
If continuously conveyed containers are shifted laterally by sliding bars, then groupwise division into several discharge sections is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single complex sliding bar system into multiple simpler push bar elements (first push bar, second push bar, third push bar) that operate independently in sequence, each handling a specific grouping task, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining productive grouping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic activation of push bars in alternating sequence (first push bar for odd groups, second push bar for even groups, third push bar for subsequent groups) to achieve continuous groupwise division without requiring all bars to operate simultaneously, simplifying control and reducing mechanical complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2d~2e
AI summary
The invention discloses a grounding method and a grouping device. Objects (12) are conveyed in a regular rank (18) in horizontal and three clamping boards (36, 38, 40) coordinating with each other in pairs in an alternating manner are used for dividing the objects and conveying the objects towards a conveying channel laterally. Two of the clamping boards act in pairs in coordination on two longitudinal side faces of the rank (18) of the objects (12). During each moving process of the object group (24), the middle clamping board (36) coordinates with one of the two outer clamping boards (38, 40) to fix the object group (24) temporarily and to move the object group left or right laterally to the respective conveying channel.