Piece Goods Handling Device for Continuous Palletizing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for handling and positioning piece goods in row formation for palletizing are inefficient due to abrupt changes in speed and direction, leading to mechanical stress and inaccuracies in gap reproduction between cycles, resulting in increased cycle times and potential product damage.

Innovation Solution

A method and device where piece goods are transported in a closed formation to a handling module, where manipulators detect and position them without gaps, applying additional speed and direction components to maintain continuous movement and precise positioning, allowing for seamless handling and alignment without interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If piece goods are transferred individually between conveyor belts with speed differences, then positioning control can be achieved, but cycle time increases and mechanical stress occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuous conveying without interruption by maintaining synchronized speed between the first and second conveyor belts. Piece goods are conveyed in a closed formation without gaps, eliminating the need for individual transfer operations with speed changes. This continuous action maintains positioning precision while significantly reducing cycle time by avoiding repeated acceleration and deceleration cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-positions piece goods in a closed formation on the first conveyor belt before they reach the second conveyor belt. The manipulator detects and positions goods while they are still in motion on the first belt, and the second belt is pre-synchronized to receive them without speed changes. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for post-transfer positioning adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If piece goods are handled with abrupt speed or direction changes, then positioning can be achieved, but mechanical stress and product damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidmechanical stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the same conveying speed on both the first and second conveyor belts, creating an equipotential condition where no speed differential exists between the two belts. This eliminates the need for acceleration or deceleration when piece goods are transferred, thereby preventing mechanical stress and product damage while maintaining positioning accuracy through the synchronized belt system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple conveyor belts are used for spacing and rotation, then row formation precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverow formation precisionVSAvoidnumber of belts
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the first conveyor belt multi-functional by enabling it to perform both conveying and positioning functions. The manipulator is mounted on the first belt and can position piece goods directly during conveyance, eliminating the need for separate dedicated positioning belts. This universal approach maintains row formation precision while significantly reducing the number of required conveyor belts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of multiple conveyor belts into a single integrated system. The first conveyor belt handles both transport and positioning tasks, while the second belt simply receives the positioned goods. The manipulator combines detection and positioning functions in one unit. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant belts while maintaining precision through the integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3770086B1Device and method for handling piece goods moved behind each other in at least one row
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 KRONES AG
  • EP3770086B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3770086B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3770086B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for handling unit loads (2) moved in at least one row (1) one after the other. The unit loads (2) are fed directly one after the other as a closed formation (F) in a transport direction (TR) to a first handling module with a first manipulator (21) for handling unit loads (2) in a first detection area (22) associated with the first manipulator (21). At least a portion of the unit loads (2) fed in the closed formation (F) are detected in the first handling module (20) by the first manipulator (21) and moved to a first target position and/or target arrangement (P1) within the first detection area (22).Furthermore, at least a part of the supplied unit goods (2) are detected in a second handling module (30) which is at least partially aligned with the first handling module (20) in the direction of transport (TR) by a second manipulator (31) for handling unit goods (2) in a second detection area (32) assigned to the second manipulator (31) and moved to a second target position and/or target arrangement (P2) within the second detection area (32).