Multi-Conveyor Package Alignment for Irregular Package Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face inefficiencies in conveying and aligning packages or components in a manner that allows for efficient sorting and distribution, particularly in logistics and manufacturing lines, where packages are often irregularly arranged and require precise alignment for further processing.
Innovation Solution
A package conveyance apparatus comprising multiple conveyance and alignment conveyors with varying speeds and orientations, including first, second, and third side-alignment conveyors, and auxiliary conveyance belts, to efficiently align and arrange packages in a predetermined manner, ensuring they are conveyed at different speeds and directions to achieve precise alignment and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If packages are conveyed using a single conveyor system, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of package alignment is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into multiple independent conveyor units (first conveyor, second conveyor, third conveyor) that can operate at different speeds and orientations. Each conveyor segment handles a specific aspect of package alignment, allowing high precision alignment through coordinated operation of segmented components rather than a single complex unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces multi-dimensional alignment by using conveyors oriented at different angles (first direction, second direction intersecting the first, third direction intersecting the second). This dimensional approach allows packages to be aligned precisely in multiple orientations simultaneously, achieving high manufacturing precision through spatial arrangement.
2Productivity
If packages are conveyed at uniform speed, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity of sorting and distribution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system implements dynamic speed control where each conveyor unit can operate at different speeds (first conveyance speed, second conveyance speed, third conveyance speed). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize package flow rates for different sorting requirements, significantly improving productivity by matching conveyance speed to specific processing needs rather than using a fixed uniform speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If packages are conveyed in a single direction, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability for different sorting configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves versatility by arranging conveyors in multiple intersecting directions (first direction, second direction intersecting the first, third direction intersecting the second). This multi-directional configuration allows the same system to handle various sorting patterns and distribution requirements by directing packages along different paths, providing high adaptability without requiring completely different system designs.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a package conveyance apparatus includes first, second, and third side-alignment conveyors each receiving packages conveyed in an irregularly arranged state in a conveyance direction and a direction intersecting the conveyance direction. The first, second, and third side-alignment conveyors convey the packages in first, second, and third conveyance directions while side-aligning the packages in first, second, and third directions, respectively. The package conveyance apparatus includes first, second, and third auxiliary conveyance belts provided on respective side-alignment direction sides of the first, second, and third side-alignment conveyors, applying conveyance force to the packages in the first, second, and third directions, respectively, and differing in conveyance speeds from the first, second, and third side-alignment conveyors, respectively.