Manipulator Positioning Piece Goods Reducing Conveyor Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for packaging and palletizing piece goods face challenges in precise positioning and efficient layer formation due to speed differences between conveyor belts, leading to mechanical stress and inefficiencies, resulting in variable gap formation and increased cycle times.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a manipulator with clamping elements to seize and position piece goods in a closed formation, applying back pressure to maintain alignment, and selectively releasing them into defined target positions, allowing for precise positioning and alignment without the need for continuous synchronization with conveyor belts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If piece goods are conveyed on multiple conveyor belts with speed differences for positioning and layer formation, then positioning precision can be improved, but mechanical stress on piece goods increases and cycle time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the conveyor belt system and transfers it to a manipulator with force control. Instead of using multiple conveyor belts with different speeds to position piece goods, a single conveyor belt transports piece goods while a manipulator precisely positions them by applying controlled forces, thereby eliminating the time loss associated with multiple synchronized conveyor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical synchronization system of multiple conveyor belts with a manipulator that uses force control and sensing. Instead of mechanically synchronizing multiple belts through velocity differences, the manipulator uses sensors to detect piece good positions and applies precise forces to achieve accurate positioning, reducing cycle time while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If conveyor belts operate at different speeds to deliver individual piece goods, then positioning accuracy improves, but mechanical stress on piece goods increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical velocity-difference positioning system with a manipulator that uses force control and sensing. The manipulator detects piece good positions using sensors and applies precise, controlled forces to position them accurately without the high mechanical stresses caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration in conveyor belt systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from velocity differences in conveyor belts to force application by the manipulator. By using force control with sensory feedback, the system can achieve precise positioning while maintaining gentle, controlled forces on the piece goods, avoiding the harmful mechanical stress associated with conveyor belt synchronization.
3Ease of operation
If multiple conveyor belts are synchronized by velocity differences, then individual piece good delivery is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the individual piece good delivery function from the complex multi-belt synchronization system and implements it using a single conveyor belt combined with a manipulator. The manipulator handles the complex positioning task through force control and sensing, while the conveyor belt simply provides continuous transport, significantly simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Productivity
If piece goods are pushed off from roller conveyor with abrupt direction changes, then layer formation is achieved, but mechanical stress on piece goods increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the abrupt mechanical push-off system with a manipulator that uses controlled force application. Instead of pushing piece goods off the roller conveyor with sudden direction changes, the manipulator gently grasps and repositions them using controlled forces, maintaining layer formation efficiency while eliminating harmful mechanical stress.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for handling piece goods (2) moved one after another being transported to a seizing range (4) of at least one manipulator (5). Hereby at least two transported piece goods (2) are seized, spatially separated from the closed formation (F) and brought into a specified relative first target position (P1) and/or target alignment in relation to the subsequent piece goods (2). There at least one of the piece goods (2) is released. The at least one second piece good (2) seized from the formation (F) is seized again and is brought into a specified relative second target position and/or target alignment that is spaced apart from the first target position (P1).