Package Accumulating Device Conveyor Alignment Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional package accumulating devices often disarrange the line of accumulation when dealing with packages of larger sizes, as the front package of the next group sticks out and gets pulled onto the downstream conveyor, causing misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A package accumulating device with a control unit that switches between two states, where the upstream end of the second conveyor is lowered in the second state to prevent contact with the front package of the next group, maintaining the line of accumulation by ensuring the package remains on the first conveyor's surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the downstream conveyor conveys the preceding group while the upstream conveyor forms the next group, then productivity is improved through continuous operation, but the front package of the next group sticks out and contacts the downstream conveyor causing the line of accumulation to become disarranged
Solution Approach 1:
The upstream end of the downstream conveyor is made movable in the vertical direction, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between a first position (opposing the downstream end of the upstream conveyor) and a second position (lower than the first position). This dynamic adjustment prevents large packages from contacting the downstream conveyor while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical position parameter of the upstream end of the downstream conveyor is changed between two discrete states. In the first state, the conveyors oppose each other for normal operation; in the second state, the downstream conveyor is lowered to prevent contact with protruding packages, thus adapting to different package sizes.
2Manufacturing precision
If the upstream end of the downstream conveyor is lowered to prevent contact with protruding packages, then package alignment is maintained, but the conveyance surface continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance surface continuity is dynamically managed by lowering the upstream end of the downstream conveyor only when needed to prevent package contact. The system transitions between continuous surface mode (first position) and interrupted surface mode (second position), optimizing both alignment and operational flow.
Data Source
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AI summary
A package accumulating device is disclosed. The device conveys bag packages to a predetermined position while performing an accumulating operation that aligns the packages such that parts of each of the packages lie on top of parts of adjacent packages in a thickness direction. The device includes first and second conveyors, and a control unit. The first conveyor performs the accumulating operation. The second conveyor conveys a group of the packages aligned by the first conveyor. The control unit performs switching between a first state where a downstream end of the first conveyor and an upstream end of the second conveyor oppose each other when the second conveyor accepts the group of the packages from the first conveyor and a second state where a position of the upstream end of the second conveyor is lower than in the first state with respect to the downstream end of the first conveyor.