Projecting-Load Pallet Transfer for Direct Conveyor Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pallet systems require additional transferring devices or human intervention to separate loads from pallets for transfer to conveyors, increasing costs and slowing down the process.
Innovation Solution
A pallet system design where the load projects from the pallet, allowing direct transfer to a conveyor by a transport device without the need for additional equipment or manpower, utilizing a conveyor with parallel left and right conveyors that receive the load's projecting portions, enabling the pallet to be moved away with the load remaining on the conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pick-up device or human operator is used to grip the load from above or from the side for transfer to the conveyor, then the load can be transferred to the conveyor, but this results in the use of extra manpower or equipment, increasing the costs and slowing down the transferring process
Solution Approach 1:
The load is segmented such that it projects beyond the pallet boundaries, creating distinct left and right projecting portions. This segmentation allows the conveyor system to interact with specific portions of the load rather than requiring a single gripping action, enabling automatic transfer without additional equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the transfer mechanism from a vertical gripping approach (from above or side) to a horizontal support approach (from below). By positioning support surfaces upwardly on the conveyors to receive downwardly directed surfaces of the load, the system exploits the vertical dimension differently, allowing the pallet to pass through while the load is supported and transferred horizontally
2Productivity
If a pick-up device or human operator is used to grip the load for transfer to the conveyor, then the load transfer can be accomplished, but this increases the costs and slows down the transferring process
Solution Approach 1:
The load itself provides the interface for transfer through its projecting portions with downwardly directed support surfaces. The conveyor system simply needs to provide upwardly directed support surfaces that match these projecting portions, allowing the load to essentially transfer itself without requiring active gripping or manual intervention, thereby increasing both automation level and transfer speed
3Device complexity
If the load width is larger than the pallet width so that the load projects from the pallet, then the load can be transferred to the conveyor by the transport device without additional equipment, but this requires specific geometric relationships between load, pallet, and conveyor dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system provides localized support surfaces at specific positions corresponding to the projecting portions of the load. The left conveyor supports the left projecting portion and the right conveyor supports the right projecting portion. This localized approach allows the system to work with various load sizes as long as they maintain the basic geometric relationship of projecting beyond the pallet
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pallet system for transferring a load from a pallet to a conveyor, wherein the pallet system comprises a load having a bottom with a rectangular outline and a load width, a pallet having a pallet width for holding the load thereon having a load receiving surface for receiving and supporting the bottom of the load thereon, and a transport device configured for displacing the pallet, wherein the load width is larger than the pallet width so that the load projects from the pallet, wherein the conveyor has a left upwardly directed support surface and a right upwardly directed support surface configured for receiving the projecting load.