Receptacle Swapping Mechanism for Parcel Sorting Footprint Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated parcel sorting systems face challenges in increasing throughput and reducing package damage due to increased e-commerce volumes, requiring more sorting passes and physical destinations, which leads to larger footprints and increased handling complexities.
Innovation Solution
The parcel sorting equipment incorporates a sorting conveyor with multiple receptacles at each outlet, a receptacle swapping device with a rotating shaft and locking mechanism, and a control-command unit that positions the correct receptacle for each parcel based on its destination address, allowing for efficient sorting and reducing physical sorting outlets needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of sorting outlets is increased to handle more physical destinations, then the sorting capacity is improved, but the footprint of the installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sorting outlet into multiple receptacles (first receptacle, second receptacle, third receptacle) that can be independently positioned and used. This allows a single physical outlet location to serve multiple destination groups, increasing sorting capacity without proportionally increasing the footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by stacking receptacles (with the first receptacle positioned above the second receptacle) and using a vertical shaft for permutation. This multi-level arrangement allows multiple sorting destinations to be accessed from a single horizontal footprint location.
2Productivity
If the number of sorting outlets is increased to handle more physical destinations, then the sorting capacity is improved, but the handling means complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft serves multiple functions: it acts as a support structure, a rotation mechanism for permuting receptacles, and a positioning system for bringing different receptacles into alignment with the sorting outlet. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate handling means for each receptacle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic permutation system where the shaft can rotate to bring different receptacles into the active sorting position based on real-time sorting needs. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical infrastructure to adapt to varying sorting requirements without additional complexity.
3Productivity
If the throughput speed of the conveyors is increased to process more parcels, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of damaging the packages increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sorting outlet into multiple receptacles, the system can distribute parcels across different receptacles simultaneously, reducing the need for high-speed single-point sorting operations that increase damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary grouping of parcels by destination using multiple receptacles before final delivery. This preliminary organization reduces the need for rapid repositioning and high-speed handling operations that could damage packages.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to parcel sorting equipment (1) for parcels (2) comprising a sorting conveyor (3), sorting outputs (4) distributed along said conveyor, and a control unit (7) capable of controlling the conveyor to sort the parcels at the outputs according to their destination address. Each output is arranged to store a plurality of receptacles (6), each associated with a parcel destination address in the unit's memory. The equipment includes, at each output, a receptacle swapping device (8). The unit controls the swapping device to immobilize a receptacle, whose associated parcel destination address in the control unit's memory corresponds to the destination address of a current parcel to be sorted, in a filling position in which the receptacle is positioned under the sorting output to receive a parcel.