Mail Handling Conveyor Speed Regulation for Mixed Batch Throughput
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mail handling systems using ink jet technology struggle to handle mail in arbitrarily mixed batches and on the fly, as they require constant mail item speed, which leads to braking and acceleration of the conveyor belt, and do not account for varying mail item weights, resulting in inefficiencies and potential jams.
Innovation Solution
A mail handling apparatus with a feed module, detector means for dimensions, evaluator means for weighing time, regulator means to adjust conveyor speed, a weigh tray, and a franking module with independent conveyor means, allowing for accurate weighing and encoding of mail items of different weights and formats, while maintaining high throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the conveyor belt speed is reduced to allow time for computing the enciphered code, then the computation can be completed before the mail item reaches the print head, but the mail handling speed decreases and the system cannot handle mail on the fly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mail handling system into separate functional modules: a first conveyor for transporting mail to the weighing station, a weighing module for determining weight, and a second conveyor for transporting mail to the franking module. This segmentation allows each module to operate independently at its own optimal speed, resolving the contradiction between computation time and handling speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the enciphered code computation in advance during the mail item's transport on the first conveyor, before the mail reaches the franking module. The weighing and code generation are completed preliminarily, allowing the second conveyor to maintain constant high speed without waiting for computation to finish.
2Measurement precision
If the conveyor belt is braked and accelerated to maintain constant speed during franking, then the mail item speed can be controlled for accurate weighing, but the system complexity increases and mail cannot be handled on the fly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the weighing function from the franking function by using independent conveyor systems. The first conveyor handles mail transport and weighing at one speed, while the second conveyor handles franking at a constant speed. This eliminates the need to brake and accelerate the same conveyor, reducing control complexity while maintaining weighing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing module acts as an intermediary between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. It receives mail from the first conveyor, performs accurate weighing, and then transfers mail to the second conveyor. This intermediary role allows each conveyor to operate at its optimal speed without direct control conflicts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system assumes all mail items are of the same weight, then the enciphered code generation is simplified, but the system cannot handle mail in arbitrarily mixed batches
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the mail item's own physical property (weight) as the key parameter for code generation. The weighing module automatically measures each mail item's weight, and the code generation system uses this measured weight to create the enciphered code. This self-service approach allows the system to adapt to any mail type without manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the enciphered code generation flexible by using the actual measured weight of each mail item as a variable parameter. Instead of assuming a fixed weight, the system adjusts the code generation parameters based on the real weight measured by the weighing module, enabling handling of arbitrarily mixed batches with different weights.
Data Source
AI summary
This mail-handling apparatus includes a feed module for feeding in mail items, a weigh module and a franking module. The weigh module includes regulator means for regulating the speed of advance of the conveyor means of the weigh module, which regulator means are adapted to take account of the weighing times taken to weigh the mail items.