Packing Arrangement with Real-Time Operator Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale packing arrangements for free-flowing products are inefficient due to their size, making it difficult for operators to oversee the entire operation and leading to potential alarms being overlooked, and the operation is time-consuming due to spatial distances.
Innovation Solution
A packing arrangement that includes a bagging unit, pallet loading device, and load securing device, integrated with a computing and storage device for real-time information display and task management, allowing operators to react promptly to events and optimize operations through a control and information system, input devices for task allocation, and storage for data entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the packing arrangement is made larger to handle larger quantities of product, then the productivity increases, but the operator cannot easily oversee the entire equipment and alarms may be overlooked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual copy of the physical packing arrangement through a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays a virtual representation of the equipment layout. This virtual model allows operators to monitor all areas of the large packing arrangement from a single location, effectively solving the oversight problem without requiring physical proximity to all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the physical packing arrangement and the operator. It collects data from sensors and alarms throughout the equipment, processes this information, and presents it through the GUI interface, enabling the operator to monitor and respond to events without being physically present at each location.
2Productivity
If the packing arrangement is made larger to increase productivity, then more product can be processed, but the operation becomes time-consuming due to spatial distances
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback through the GUI that displays the current state of the packing arrangement, including alarm conditions and operational status. This immediate feedback enables operators to quickly identify and respond to issues without delay, reducing the time loss associated with traversing large spatial distances to detect problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides advance warning of future events and alarm conditions through the GUI, allowing operators to prepare appropriate responses before events occur. This preliminary information enables proactive rather than reactive operations, reducing response time and improving operational efficiency.
3Loss of time
If real-time information and task management systems are added to improve operational speed, then response time decreases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated platform. The GUI serves as both a monitoring display and a task management interface, while the control system handles both real-time data acquisition and alarm management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging system for packing a product includes at least one of a bagging unit, a pallet loading device, and a pallet securing device. The packaging system also includes a device to determine information regarding future events associated with the packing of the product, and to render the information available.