Movable Baffle Plate for Overhead Conveyor Bag Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing loading stations for overhead conveyor systems face challenges in reliably loading transport bags of varying sizes and masses, leading to potential damage of goods due to maximum bag opening, which can cause smaller items to fall or become misshapen.

Innovation Solution

A deflection device with a movable baffle plate that supports the rear wall of the transport bag, allowing the opening to adjust based on the size of the goods, using a connecting unit to pivot relative to a fastening unit, enabling passive and flexible loading without active opening mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transport bag is opened as wide as possible to ensure reliable loading of large boxes, then the loading reliability for large goods is improved, but smaller transport goods can fall undefined into the transport bag and be arranged in such a way that the largest dimension of the carton determines the bag width oriented in the conveying direction, causing cartons to be damaged in the accumulation area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading reliabilityVSAvoiddamage to cartons
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a movable baffle plate that can dynamically adjust its position based on the size of the transported goods. The baffle plate is connected via a connecting unit that allows it to move between different positions, enabling the bag opening to be adaptively adjusted - opened wide for large boxes to ensure loading reliability, and restricted for smaller goods to prevent damage in the accumulation area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the transport bag is opened as wide as possible to accommodate large goods, then the adaptability for different sized goods is improved, but slack goods packed in bags can end up folded in a U-shape or kinked on the bottom of the bag, causing unwanted fold lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different goodsVSAvoidfold lines and kinks
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable baffle plate enables dynamic adjustment of the bag opening size according to the actual dimensions of the transported goods. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal loading conditions for different goods types while preventing excessive bag opening that would cause slack goods to fold or kink on the bag bottom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a movable baffle plate with connecting unit is used to enable flexible opening adjustment, then the adaptability to different goods sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional movable components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexible opening adjustmentVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle plate is designed to be moved passively by the goods themselves during the loading process. The connecting unit allows the baffle plate to respond automatically to the size and shape of the transported items without requiring external actuators, motors, or complex control systems. This self-service approach achieves flexible opening adjustment while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures reliable, flexible, and cost-effective loading of transport bags by automatically adjusting the opening size to accommodate different goods, reducing the risk of damage and misalignment, and maintaining robustness without additional components.

Implementation Method 1

a connecting unit (16) which is designed to enable the impact plate (18) to move

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

smaller transport goods can fall undefined into the transport bag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3360827B1Loading station for an overhead conveyor system, comprising a guard device for transport bags
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 DURKOPP FORDERTECHN
  • EP3360827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3360827B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3360827B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A deflector device for transport bags in a loading station of an overhead conveyor system comprises a fastening unit (14) for attaching the deflector device (13) to a conveying device (3) of the overhead conveyor system, a baffle plate (18) for supporting a rear wall of a transport bag (2) when loading with a transport item (6) and a connecting unit (16) for movably connecting the baffle plate (18) to the fastening unit (14).