Parcel Unloading Inserts and Base Belt Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic unloading systems for containers or trailers are inefficient and unreliable, particularly when dealing with parcels stacked in lower side corners, as they often require expensive and complex mechanisms to ensure complete unloading without items falling off the base belt.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a base belt installed in a container or trailer, combined with inserts attached to the interior walls, and an automated unloading apparatus featuring a ramp and conveyor that moves under the base belt to transfer items onto the conveyor, ensuring all items are unloaded without falling into lower side corners, using a combination of rail elements, drapes, or inflatable devices to guide and funnel items onto the belt or conveyor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expensive and complex mechanisms are used to unload parcels from lower side corners, then the reliability of complete unloading is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of complete unloadingVSAvoidcomplexity of unloading mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor is segmented into two sections: a first section with a base belt for carrying parcels, and a second section with inserts (such as rail elements, drapes, or inflatable devices) to prevent parcels from falling into lower side corners. This segmentation allows each section to have a specialized function, simplifying the overall system while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inserts are introduced as intermediary elements between the base belt and the lower side corners. These inserts (rail elements, drapes, or inflatable devices) act as mediators to guide and prevent parcels from falling into the corners, eliminating the need for complex mechanisms while ensuring complete unloading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a base belt is used to carry parcels, then the ease of operation is improved, but items may fall into lower side corners reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of parcel carryingVSAvoidprevention of items falling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The floor is divided into a first section with the base belt for easy parcel carrying and a second section with inserts to prevent items from falling. This segmentation allows the base belt to maintain its simplicity while the inserts provide the necessary protection against items falling into lower side corners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inserts are positioned at the boundaries or in the second section to act as intermediaries that guide parcels and prevent them from falling into lower side corners. These inserts work alongside the base belt to maintain ease of operation while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If inserts are added to prevent items from falling into lower side corners, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of missed itemsVSAvoidcomplexity of floor configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor is segmented into functional zones: the first section contains the base belt for parcel transport, while the second section contains inserts (rail elements, drapes, or inflatable devices) to prevent parcels from falling. This clear segmentation allows each component to be simple and modular, reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inserts are placed locally in the second section or at specific locations where parcels might fall into lower side corners. This localized approach ensures that inserts are only where needed, minimizing the overall complexity of the floor configuration while maintaining high reliability in preventing missed items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11434090B2System and equipment for automatic unloading of parcels

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 KORBER SUPPLY CHAIN LLC

AI summary

A system for automatic unloading of parcels from a container or trailer includes a base belt (310), a plurality of inserts (320, 322, 420, 422, 520, 522) and an automated unloading apparatus (200) with a ramp (230) and a conveyor (226). The ramp (230) is configured to pass under the base belt (310) and the conveyor (226) is configured to remove a plurality of items (370) when the automated unloading apparatus (200) moves into an interior of the container or trailer (350), and the base belt (310) is configured to be installed in a first section (360) of a floor (356) of the container or trailer (350), and the plurality of inserts (320, 322, 420, 422, 520, 522) is configured to be installed in a second section (362, 364) of the floor (356) of the container or trailer (350), such that the plurality of items (370) is either located on the base belt (310) or on the plurality of inserts (320, 322, 420, 422, 520, 522).