Pallet Loading Receiving Elements with Independent Lifting Drives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pallet loading devices have reduced performance due to a common lifting drive for both receiving elements, resulting in longer cycle times and lower efficiency in loading pallets.

Innovation Solution

The receiving elements are equipped with independent lifting drives, allowing for separate control of vertical strokes, which enables them to move more efficiently during the transfer and placement of cargo layers, reducing overall cycle time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common lifting drive is used for both receiving elements, then the device structure is simpler, but the cycle time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelifting drive structureVSAvoidnumber of loaded pallets per unit time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The common lifting drive is segmented into two independent lifting drives, one for each receiving element. This allows the receiving elements to move independently, enabling parallel operations and reducing the overall cycle time for transferring cargo layers to pallets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second receiving element is positioned in advance at the transfer position during the work cycle of the first receiving element. This preliminary positioning allows the system to overlap operations, reducing idle time and improving productivity without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the second receiving element moves to intermediate position and transfer position during each work cycle, then the transfer efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into independent control units for each receiving element, allowing each element to execute its movement sequence (ready position → intermediate position → transfer position) independently. This modular control approach manages complexity while enabling efficient parallel operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving elements employ dynamic positioning with multiple discrete positions (ready, intermediate, transfer) that can be adjusted based on the work cycle phase. This dynamic adaptability optimizes transfer efficiency while the control system manages the complexity through standardized position protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2547612B1Device for loading pallets with parcels
Publication Date: 2014.03.26 KHS GMBH
  • EP2547612B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2547612B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2547612B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for loading pallets (2) with piece goods to form a stack (4) of piece goods having a plurality of layers (3) of piece goods, comprising a providing position (5) for providing a layer (3) of piece goods or a partial layer of piece goods and comprising a transfer apparatus for receiving the layer of piece goods or the partial layer of piece goods at the providing position (5) and placing the received layer (3) of piece goods or partial layer of piece goods onto a placement plane (AE).