Object Distribution System With Train Creation Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing object distribution systems in industrial processing lines face issues with object retention during lane changes, leading to risks of falling objects and jamming, and lack precise control over object quantity at the deflector outlet, making them unreliable at high speeds.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a train creation mechanism with movable fingers that create spaces between objects, ensuring precise distribution and alignment, allowing for precise regulation of object quantity and speed, and eliminating the need for error detection sensors by maintaining objects out of reach until engagement, facilitating perpendicular insertion and reducing risks of falling and jamming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional diverters are used to redirect objects from a single track to multiple tracks, then object distribution is achieved, but object retention during track changeover is poor leading to falling and jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject distribution capabilityVSAvoidobject retention during track changeover

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by creating spaces between objects in advance using movable fingers before the track changeover operation. This pre-separation ensures that when the diverter redirects objects to different tracks, the objects are already spaced out and cannot collide or jam, thereby maintaining reliability during the transition while achieving versatile distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (movable fingers) between the single input track and multiple output tracks. These fingers act as mediators that temporarily hold objects and create spaces, enabling reliable track changeover while maintaining the ability to distribute objects to multiple destinations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional diverters are used for object distribution, then routing flexibility is achieved, but precise control over object quantity at the outlet is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoidobject quantity control at outlet

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using detectors at the outlet of the diverter to monitor the quantity of objects exiting. This feedback information is used to adjust the operation of the movable fingers and diverter, ensuring precise control over the object quantity at the outlet while maintaining routing flexibility to multiple tracks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If high speed operation is implemented in object distribution systems, then productivity increases, but the risk of objects falling and jamming increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating speedVSAvoidobject retention during high-speed operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-creating spaces between objects using movable fingers before high-speed distribution occurs. This advance separation ensures that even at high operating speeds, objects cannot collide or jam during the distribution process, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining constant engagement of the movable fingers with objects throughout the high-speed operation. The fingers continuously create and maintain spaces between objects, ensuring uninterrupted and reliable distribution at high speeds without falling or jamming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If error detection systems and buffer accumulation zones are added to conventional diverters, then object distribution reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject distribution accuracyVSAvoidsystem components required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing the movable finger mechanism to automatically create spaces and control object distribution without requiring external error detection systems or buffer accumulation zones. The system self-regulates the quantity and positioning of objects through the inherent action of the movable fingers, achieving reliable distribution while minimizing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3301044B1System for distributing objects

Publication Date: 2021.10.27 SIDEL PACKING SOLUTIONS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an object distribution system intended to be interposed between an upstream machine delivering an input flow of objects (2) in the form of a single queue and a downstream machine requiring an output flow of objects (2) in the form of a controlled plurality of queues, comprising a conveyor belt (3) configured to support and drive the objects (2) in the direction of the flow, a diverter (4) configured to divert the input flow towards one of the queues of the output flow, and a train-creation means (5) configured to separate the input flow into trains of a predetermined quantity of objects (2), said train-creation means (5) being disposed immediately upstream of the queues of the output flow. The present invention further relates to a method of object distribution using a system according to the invention.