Postal Sorting Machine Dual-Feed Robotic Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current postal sorting machines are inefficient and costly due to the need for separate processing of homogeneous flat mail items and heterogeneous small packets or parcels, leading to increased operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
A postal sorting machine equipped with a dual-feed antenna system, one specifically adapted for heterogeneous small packets or parcels and another for conventional flat mail items, utilizing robotic handling arms and image pickup means to direct and sort items efficiently along a sorting conveyor with sorting outlets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate machines are used for sorting homogeneous flat mail items and heterogeneous small packets or parcels, then sorting efficiency for each type is maintained, but machine footprint and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two previously separate sorting machines into a single integrated machine. The first sorting conveyor handles homogeneous flat mail items while the second sorting conveyor handles heterogeneous small packets or parcels, both fed from a common supply area. This merging reduces the overall machine footprint and consolidates operational costs while maintaining the sorting efficiency of both mail types through dedicated conveyors and robotic handling systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single machine sorts both homogeneous flat mail items and heterogeneous small packets or parcels, then operational costs decrease, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sorting function into two distinct systems within a single machine: a first sorting conveyor with pinching belts for homogeneous flat mail items, and a second sorting conveyor with buckets for heterogeneous small packets or parcels. Each segment is optimized for its specific mail type, reducing the complexity that would arise from attempting to handle all mail types with a single mechanism. The robotic handling arm serves as a shared resource between both segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic handling arm serves multiple functions: it feeds homogeneous flat mail items to the first sorting conveyor and feeds heterogeneous small packets or parcels to the second sorting conveyor. This multi-functional component reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate feeding mechanisms for each mail type, while maintaining the adaptability to handle diverse postal items.
3Adaptability or versatility
If robotic handling arms are used to handle heterogeneous postal items, then sorting capability is expanded, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic handling arm is equipped with sensors and control systems that enable it to automatically identify, grasp, and position different types of postal items without human intervention. The arm adapts its gripping force and positioning based on the detected item characteristics, allowing it to serve multiple sorting functions independently. This self-service capability expands sorting capability while managing complexity through automation rather than manual operation.
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
Enables the simultaneous sorting of both homogeneous flat mail items and heterogeneous small packets or parcels within the same machine, optimizing sorting costs and maintaining a compact machine footprint.
Implementation Method 1
each handling arm comprises a pneumatic gripper with suction cup
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a mail sorting machine comprising a sorting conveyor (2) having sorting outlets (3), a first feeding limb (6) suitable for automatically injecting heterogeneous mail items such as small packages or parcels into the sorting conveyor, and a second feeding limb (4, 5) suitable for injecting homogeneous flat mail items such as letters, magazines or the like into the sorting conveyor. The first feeding limb (6) has an inlet suitable for receiving heterogeneous bulk mail items and comprises at least one robotised "pick and place"-type handling arm.