Loading System for Glass Panels with Lifting Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading systems for glass tempering furnaces are inefficient and costly due to the need for manual loading, limited flexibility in accommodating glass panels of varying sizes, and the potential for damage from robotic loading systems, leading to suboptimal utilization of conveyor frames and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A loading system with a conveyor frame equipped with lifting units and individual control of conveying means, allowing for the automatic arrangement of plate-shaped objects of different sizes and orientations on the conveyor frame without altering the position of previously placed objects, using detachable lifting units and separate drive mechanisms for each conveyor section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual loading is used, then flexibility in loading different glass panel sizes is maintained, but labor costs increase and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect glass panel dimensions and the control unit autonomously determines optimal positioning, eliminating the need for manual measurement and decision-making while maintaining adaptability to different panel sizes
Solution Approach 2:
Manual loading operations are replaced by an automated system combining sensors, control units, and positioning mechanisms that can handle varying glass panel sizes without human intervention, thus improving both productivity and flexibility
2Productivity
If robotic loading systems are used, then productivity increases, but the risk of damaging glass panels increases
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor-based detection system acts as an intermediary between the control unit and the positioning mechanism, enabling precise, damage-free positioning by detecting panel edges and corners optically rather than through direct mechanical contact
Solution Approach 2:
Direct mechanical manipulation by robots is replaced with a sensor-guided positioning system that uses optical fields and controlled mechanical movements to place glass panels safely, reducing contact forces that could cause damage
3Manufacturing precision
If glass panels are loaded one at a time, then precise positioning is achieved, but the conveyor frame utilization is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-calculates optimal positioning for multiple glass panels based on detected dimensions and conveyor frame capacity, arranging them in advance to maximize space utilization while maintaining precise positioning for each panel
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors continuously detect the positions and dimensions of loaded panels, providing feedback to the control unit that adjusts subsequent positioning decisions to optimize conveyor frame utilization while maintaining precision
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a loading system for panel-shaped objects (4), comprising a conveyor frame (1) with at least one conveyor plane (3) which is made of one or more conveyor means (2) for the panel-shaped objects (4), wherein the conveyor system has lifting units (5) which are arranged below the at least one conveyor plane (3), and each of the lifting unit (5) has a support surface (7) made of at least one support element (6) for the panel-shaped objects (4), said support surface (7) being movable between a position below the at least one conveyor plane (3) and a position above the at least one conveyor plane (3).