Postal Sorting Tray Support with 90° Pivot for Ergonomic Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current postal sorting machines require operators to awkwardly twist and move to load non-uniform mailpieces, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to trays not being designed to handle large-size mailpieces on edge, which necessitates loading them flat, disrupting the processing flow.
Innovation Solution
A sorting outlet module with a bay and support system that allows the storage tray to pivot and align perpendicularly, enabling easy loading of mailpieces from the sorting outlet to the tray without requiring operators to manually pivot the stack, thus reducing strain and maintaining ergonomic working conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If storage trays are designed with standard width smaller than large-size mailpiece lengths, then space is saved in the sorting machine, but operators must twist and load mailpieces awkwardly, increasing risk of musculoskeletal disorders
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is made movable and adjustable, allowing the storage tray to be positioned dynamically. The support can move horizontally on guides and be adjusted to different angles, transforming a static, space-constrained setup into a dynamic, operator-friendly configuration that adapts to the mailpiece size and operator position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds angular/rotational positioning capability to the traditional linear horizontal movement. The support can be tilted and positioned at different angles relative to the sorting outlet, creating a new dimensional degree of freedom that allows ergonomic loading without increasing the horizontal space footprint.
2Ease of operation
If storage trays are designed to accommodate large-size mailpieces on edge, then ergonomic loading is improved, but the width of the tray must be increased, occupying more space in the sorting machine
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a fixed wide tray, the invention uses a movable support that can be positioned and angled dynamically. This allows the tray to effectively 'reach' larger mailpiece dimensions when needed while maintaining a compact retracted position when not in use, eliminating the need for a permanently wide tray design.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is pre-configured with adjustable mechanisms that allow it to be positioned optimally before loading begins. The horizontal and angular adjustments are prepared in advance, enabling the operator to load mailpieces ergonomically without requiring excessive tray width from the start.
3Volume of moving object
If bays are aligned lengthwise under sorting outlets to save space, then space efficiency is improved, but operators have limited space to maneuver and position trays for loading
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure incorporates horizontal movement capability on guides, allowing the tray to be extended forward into the operator's working space when needed for loading, and retracted back into the compact bay alignment when not in use. This dynamic extension/retraction resolves the conflict between compact alignment and loading maneuverability.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage tray nests within the bay structure when retracted, and the support mechanism nests within the bay when not in use. This nesting arrangement allows the system to maintain a compact aligned appearance while providing extended functionality during operation, similar to a nested doll that expands when needed.
4Manufacturing precision
If operators manually pivot mailpiece stacks to load them flat in the tray, then mailpieces can be loaded correctly, but the processing flow may be disrupted and additional time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure automatically positions and orients the storage tray in the correct orientation relative to the sorting outlet. The adjustable support does the work of alignment that would otherwise require manual manipulation by the operator, allowing the operator to simply load mailpieces directly without pivoting or repositioning stacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable support acts as an intermediary between the fixed sorting outlet and the storage tray. It provides the necessary angular and positional adjustment to bridge the gap between the outlet's fixed orientation and the tray's loading orientation, eliminating the need for operators to manually pivot mailpiece stacks.
Data Source
AI summary
A sorting outlet module for a postal sorting machine, provided with a bay for receiving a storage tray for storing mailpieces, and, inside the bay, is provided with a support for supporting the storage tray in the manner of a drawer. The support is mounted to move in translation in a longitudinal direction between a storage position in which the tray on the support is retracted inside the bay and a transfer position in which the tray on the support is out of the bay. The support is also provided with pivot and alignment means for pivoting and aligning the tray, which means are arranged in such a manner that pivoting the tray through 90° on the support relative to the longitudinal direction causes one end of tray to be aligned with one side of the bay while also maintaining the tray as close as possible to the bay.