Robotic Conveying Junction Device for Product Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveying systems in industrial processing lines face limitations in adaptability, cost, complexity, and footprint when directing products between processing machines, as they often require significant energy and space for diverting mechanisms, and struggle to efficiently handle changes in line layouts.
Innovation Solution
A conveying junction device utilizing a robotic means that moves products on a continuous flush surface from an infeed conveyor to an outfeed conveyor without lifting them, allowing for parallel movement and easy adaptation to different layouts with a low-power robotic system that operates within a common plane, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional diverting mechanisms are used to direct products between conveyors, then product flow control is achieved, but device complexity and footprint increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical diverting mechanisms with a robotic system that uses a tool to push products transversely. The robotic means (200) with a tool (204) directly pushes products (2) to redirect them, eliminating the need for traditional diverting mechanisms (40) and their associated complexity while maintaining product flow control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic means (200) serves multiple functions: it can push products transversely to divert them, move products longitudinally along the conveyor, and adapt to different product types and destinations. This single multi-functional robotic system replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized diverting mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity
2Ease of operation
If traditional diverting mechanisms are used, then product diversion is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system replaces energy-intensive traditional diverting mechanisms with a more efficient robotic pushing action. The robotic means (200) uses a tool (204) to apply force only when and where needed to redirect products, rather than continuously powering complex mechanical diverting systems, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining diversion capability
3Ease of operation
If robotic means lift products between conveyors, then product transfer is achieved, but device complexity and energy usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the infeed conveyor (102) and outfeed conveyor (104) at the same vertical level, creating an equipotential surface. The robotic means (200) operates on this common plane and only pushes products horizontally without lifting them vertically. This eliminates the need for lifting mechanisms, reduces gravitational potential energy changes, and simplifies the robotic system while maintaining full product transfer capability
4Ease of operation
If traditional conveying systems are used for product diversion, then product flow control is achieved, but adaptability to new layouts decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic means (200) provides dynamic adaptability through software control rather than fixed mechanical structures. The control system (208) can be reprogrammed to accommodate different product types, destinations, and conveyor layouts without physical reconfiguration. This dynamic flexibility allows the system to adapt to new layouts and requirements that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional fixed diverting mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a conveying device, for conveying products in an industrial processing line, the conveying device including, for circulating the products, at least one infeed conveyor, for receiving the products from a line portion upstream the device and a plurality of outfeed conveyors, for further delivering the products to a line portion downstream the device, the conveying device acting as a sorting device and directing product to a predefined outfeed conveyor. The infeed conveyor and the plurality of outfeed conveyors extend in a common plane, the conveying device further including a robotic unit, with a working area covering at least a portion of the at least one infeed conveyor and at least a portion of each outfeed conveyor, for moving products from the at least one infeed conveyor to a predefined outfeed conveyor of the plurality, with a movement parallel to the common plane. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.