Package Tilting Conveyor Limbs for Fast Orientation Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tilting devices in conveying systems require complex construction and result in high time costs and low efficiency due to the need for package orientation, separation, and conveyance via robot arms, leading to inefficient package handling.
Innovation Solution
A tilting device with independently actuated limbs, each equipped with conveying and tilting drives, allows packages to be conveyed and tilted based on their orientation, using a pivot axis parallel to the conveying direction, enabling efficient orientation and ejection without the need for separate transport mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If packages are separated and conveyed using a robot arm, then package orientation can be achieved, but device complexity increases and time cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides packages into two groups based on orientation requirements: packages that need orientation are directed to the tilting device with pivoting limbs, while packages that do not need orientation are conveyed directly by the first conveying drive. This segmentation allows the complex tilting mechanism to be used only when necessary, reducing overall system complexity and time costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting device is designed to automatically detect package orientation requirements and activate the pivoting limbs only when needed. The system self-regulates by comparing the current package orientation with the desired orientation, activating the tilting mechanism only for packages that require reorientation, thereby avoiding unnecessary complex operations.
2Ease of operation
If packages are separated and conveyed using a robot arm, then package orientation can be achieved, but time cost increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying system is segmented into a direct conveyance path for packages not requiring orientation and a tilting path for packages that do. This allows parallel processing where packages move through the system simultaneously via different paths, significantly improving throughput and efficiency while maintaining proper orientation where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines the orientation requirements of packages in advance before they reach the tilting mechanism. By pre-identifying which packages need reorientation, the system can prepare the pivoting limbs in advance and avoid unnecessary stopping or sequential processing, thereby improving overall efficiency and reducing time costs.
3Productivity
If pivot axis is oriented parallel to conveying direction, then package tilting efficiency improves, but device design becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically controllable pivoting limbs that can adjust their angle and position in real-time based on package characteristics and orientation requirements. The conveying drives and tilting drives are actuated independently to adapt to different package sizes, weights, and orientation needs, optimizing tilting efficiency while managing design complexity through flexible control.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting device with parallel pivot axis is designed to handle multiple package types and orientation requirements using the same basic mechanism. The independent actuation of conveying and tilting drives allows the single tilting device to perform multiple functions: tilting packages to different angles, conveying packages without tilting, and adapting to various package dimensions, thereby improving efficiency without requiring multiple specialized devices.
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
The solution achieves efficient and space-saving package handling by allowing packages to be conveyed and tilted independently of their orientation, resulting in high packing density and reduced time costs.
Implementation Method 1
the limbs comprise conveying drives that can be actuated independently of one another, with which one or more packages can be conveyed along a conveying direction
Implementation Method 2
tilting drives that can be actuated independently of one another, via which the limbs can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis
Data Source
AI summary
A tilting device for a conveying system in a picking facility and method for tilting packages. Packages, conveyed from a conveying inlet to a conveying outlet, are tiltable. The tilting device includes an inlet and outlet, a first limb connected to the inlet and outlet, and a second limb connected to the outlet. The limbs include conveying drives actuatable independently of one another to convey packages along a conveying direction, and tilting drives actuatable independently of one another to pivot the limbs about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is oriented crosswise to the conveying direction so a package conveyed onto the tilting device via the inlet can, depending on its orientation, be ejected without a change in orientation, or can be tilted from the first limb onto the second limb by actuation of the tilting drives to be ejected.