Object Orientation System Using Build-Up Channel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current object orientation systems are limited by low orientation speed due to inefficiencies in the selection and angular orientation processes, leading to empty alveoli and reduced precision as machine size increases.

Innovation Solution

The system introduces a build-up channel to separate top-bottom orientation and angular orientation steps, allowing independent optimization of moving rates and using a mobile friction surface to control rotation speed, along with detectors to manage filling and prevent overfilling, thereby increasing orientation speed and reducing machine size while maintaining precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machine rotation rate is increased to increase orientation speed, then productivity increases, but the objects do not naturally fill in the alveoli and most remain empty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation speedVSAvoidalveoli filling reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The build-up channel performs preliminary action by pre-forming a complete row of objects with proper top-bottom orientation before they enter the angular orientation phase. This ensures that alveoli are filled reliably even at high rotation rates, as objects are already properly positioned and oriented in the build-up channel before being transferred to rotating alveoli.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the overall dimensions of the orienting machine are increased to increase yield, then productivity increases, but meeting stringent tolerance limits becomes more difficult and orientation precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine yieldVSAvoidorientation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The orienting machine is segmented into distinct functional zones: a build-up channel for forming rows with proper top-bottom orientation, and a separate angular orientation zone with rotating alveoli. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently - the build-up channel ensures precise orientation without requiring the entire machine to be large, while the angular orientation zone handles rotation at controlled speeds to maintain precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If objects are fed in bulk without preliminary row formation, then the process is simpler, but empty alveoli are created and orientation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidorientation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The build-up channel performs preliminary action by forming a continuous row of objects with proper top-bottom orientation before they enter the angular orientation phase. This preliminary row formation ensures that when objects are transferred to rotating alveoli, all alveoli are filled and no empty spaces are created, significantly improving orientation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Volume of moving object

If top-bottom orientation and angular orientation are performed in a single integrated process, then the device is more compact, but both operations constrain each other's moving rates and reduce overall speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidorientation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The orienting process is segmented into two independent phases: top-bottom orientation in the build-up channel, and angular orientation in the rotating alveoli. This segmentation allows each phase to operate at its optimal speed independently - the build-up channel can run at high speed to form rows, while the angular orientation zone rotates at the speed needed for precise alignment, eliminating mutual constraints on moving rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach significantly increases orientation speed by eliminating empty alveoli and allowing for smaller, quicker machines while maintaining orientation precision, as the build-up channel ensures consistent object alignment and the mobile friction surface optimizes rotation speed without increasing machine dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

a mobile friction surface extending along a rotation length of the orienting path and suitable to engage the objects received in the alveoli and, due to the relative movement between the alveoli and the friction surface, to rotate the objects about a reference axis thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2883818B1System and method for orienting objects
Publication Date: 2016.08.17 BONINO S P A CON UNICO AZIONISTA
  • EP2883818B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2883818B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2883818B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A device (1) for orienting objects (2), comprises a selection assembly which arranges a sequence only of objects (2) having a first orientation, in which a reference side (5) of the object (2) faces a predetermined reference direction (6), a build-up assembly which brings the single objects close to each other so as to form a single row of objects (2) brought close to each other and all having the same first orientation, as well as an orienting assembly, which receivesithe row of objects brought close to each other without empty and unused spaces, and which rotates the objects (2) about a reference axis (24) thereof by a predetermined angle with respect to a second predetermined reference direction (27).