Packing Apparatus With Suction Pick-Up Member For Pallet Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging arrangements and methods for stacking and removing objects from pallets require extensive horizontal space, multiple moving parts, and result in inefficient vertical strokes, leading to slow operation and increased space occupation.
Innovation Solution
A packaging apparatus and method where the pick-up member engages pallets from above, allowing for limited vertical strokes and simultaneous use of lifting devices to position pallets efficiently, enabling compact operation and speed gains by using suction cups and a wrapping mechanism that adapts to each layer for secure packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a separate robot is used to remove pallets from a stacked store, then pallet removal can be automated, but the device complexity increases and horizontal space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up member is designed to perform multiple functions: it both stacks objects onto pallets and removes pallets from the stacked store. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate robot dedicated to pallet removal, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining automation.
2Ease of operation
If pallets are presented at a low loading position, then the robot can easily load objects, but the vertical space occupation increases and operation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is pre-positioned on the support at an optimized height before the object stacking begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the pick-up member operates within a limited vertical stroke range, increasing operation speed while maintaining ease of loading.
3Ease of operation
If the pick-up member has a large vertical stroke to reach low loading position, then pallets can be loaded, but the operation speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support is positioned in advance at an optimal height so that the pick-up member only needs to perform a limited vertical stroke to engage and manipulate the pallet. This pre-positioning eliminates the need for large vertical movements during the loading operation, thereby increasing speed.
4Extent of automation
If lifting fingers are used to dispense pallets, then pallets can be removed from stacked store, but the control complexity increases to account for pallet height deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up member engages the pallet from above in a manner that is insensitive to variations in pallet height. The engagement mechanism automatically adapts to the actual pallet position without requiring complex control systems to compensate for height deviations, thereby simplifying the control system while maintaining automation.
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 a compact, efficient packaging process with reduced vertical space occupation and increased speed, allowing for the formation of double packages with separate wrapping for easy separation, and can be applied to both loading and unloading pallets.
Implementation Method 1
The pick-up member can be used to pick up the pallet from a stacked store of pallets
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Apparatus for placing or removing, respectively, a quantity of objects, such as boxes, on and/or from a supporting member, such as a pallet, comprising a frame (102) having uprights and beams supported by the uprights, wherein the beams support a guide for a carriage (106) on with a placement device, the latter compring a pick-up member (112, 113) for picking up the objects from a supply (120a) and on a supporting member or a layer of objects previously placed thereon, or removing them therefrom and transferring them to a discharge, respectively, wherein the guide extends according to a path situated over at least one first work station and at least one second work station situated horizontally spaced apart from the first work station, wherein at the location of the first work station (5) the apparatus comprises a first support (152) for a stack of supporting members and at the location of the second work stations it comprises a second support (132) for a supporting member, wherein the pick-up member (112, 113) is adapted for retaining a supporting member during displacement from the stack of supporting members to the second support (132) and vice versa, respectively.