Pharmaceutical Package Orientation via 3D Detection and Segmented Pusher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern pharmacy picking devices face inefficiencies in storing pharmaceutical packages due to chaotic storage methods, where packages are not stored by type, leading to difficulties in individual and oriented placement on storage surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a 3D detection system and a conveyor with a rotatable suction gripper to determine and orient pharmaceutical packages for precise placement on storage surfaces, ensuring they rest on a predetermined side surface, using 3D and 2D imaging to assess dimensions and orientation for optimal storage alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conveying mechanism with an inclined pusher is used to transfer items from stock to support surface, then items can be moved onto the support surface, but multiple items may be moved at once and items are arranged in random orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher is divided into multiple independent pusher elements that can be individually controlled. This allows selective engagement with single items from the stock, enabling precise control over which item is transferred and in what orientation, thereby resolving the contradiction between transfer speed and orientation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher elements are designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing dynamic adaptation to the orientation and position of items in the stock. This enables the system to maintain high productivity while achieving precise orientation control by adjusting pusher element positions and angles in real-time.
2Volume of stationary object
If chaotic storage is used to maximize storage space utilization, then storage capacity is improved, but retrieval efficiency and item identification become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary orientation and positioning of items during the storage process. By using the controllable pusher mechanism to place items in specific orientations before they enter storage, the system maintains high storage capacity while ensuring items are easily identifiable and retrievable, thus resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and retrieval efficiency.
3Speed
If multiple items are moved onto the support surface in one operation, then transfer speed is improved, but individual item handling and orientation control are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher mechanism is segmented into multiple independently controllable elements, allowing the system to selectively engage and move single items or multiple items as needed. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high transfer rates by moving multiple items when appropriate while preserving the capability to handle individual items with precise orientation control when required.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
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Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device and a method for singulating individual items, in particular pharmaceutical packages, to be stored in a picking device. With known singulating devices, it is not possible to provide the pharmaceutical packages individually and lying on a predetermined side surface. The device according to the invention comprises a feeding device for individual items, a detection device (20) for capturing 3D images of individual items (2, 3), a control device (30) for evaluating 3D images and for determining an item (3) to be picked up, a conveying device (40) for picking up an item (2), a storage surface (50), and a lateral detection device (60).The control device is configured to determine the orientation of the received item and to define the preferred storage area, and to control the conveying device (40) in such a way that a received item is arranged on a preferred storage area on the storage surface (50).