Parallel Accumulation Channels for High-Speed Object Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accumulation table systems in production and packaging lines face challenges such as increased complexity, reduced efficiency, and difficulty in maintaining low cycle times and production yield, especially when handling different product formats and sizes, and require complex handling and manipulation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with orthogonal transfer devices and accumulation channels, featuring adjustable motorized belts and telescopic guides, allows for efficient transfer and accumulation without increasing system complexity, maintaining low cycle times and production yield, and accommodating various formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manipulating robots and heads are used to move rows on the accumulation table, then object transfer capability is improved, but device complexity and overall dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes manipulating robots and heads from the accumulation table system, extracting the complex manipulation function entirely. Instead, objects are transferred directly through the accumulation table structure itself, which simplifies the device while maintaining transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulation table is designed to transfer objects automatically through its inherent structure and gravity-fed mechanism, without requiring external manipulating devices. The system serves itself by using the table's own configuration to move objects from input to output.
2Quantity of substance
If the size of the accumulation device increases, then accumulation capacity is improved, but speed and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulation table is divided into multiple parallel lanes that operate independently. This segmentation allows objects to be distributed across multiple pathways, maintaining high speed while increasing overall accumulation capacity through parallel processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-file accumulation approach to a multi-lane parallel architecture, adding a spatial dimension to the accumulation process. This allows simultaneous accumulation of multiple objects across different lanes, preserving speed while expanding capacity.
3Productivity
If feeding in rows is used for object transfer, then transfer efficiency is improved, but system operation continuity is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulation table employs dynamic lane assignment where objects can be routed to different lanes based on real-time conditions. This dynamic flexibility allows the system to maintain continuous operation by redistributing objects if one lane experiences issues, while still achieving efficient parallel transfer.
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 apparatus ensures efficient and adaptable object transfer and accumulation, maintaining production yield and flexibility across different product formats, even at high speeds, by using identical movable portions and motorized belts to guide and push objects accurately.
Implementation Method 1
motorized belts to guide and push objects accurately
Implementation Method 2
motorized belts to guide and push objects accurately
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) for transferring and accumulating objects, comprising: at least a first group and a second group of accumulation channels (3) parallel to each other, each accumulation channel (3) having an elongated extension along a direction parallel to an accumulation direction (D1) between a loading end (3a) and an unloading end (3b) of objects, the accumulation channels (3) of the first group having the loading ends (3a) aligned with each other but offset with respect to the aligned loading ends (3a) of the accumulation channels (3) of the second group; at least a first and a second device (10, 20) for transferring objects to the accumulation channels (3), which operate alternatively.