Roll Container Side-Wall Guidance for Interference-Free Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for picking individual items into roll containers face challenges in ensuring the side walls of the container are aligned correctly with receiving pockets during the lifting process, leading to potential interference and disruption in the automated process.
Innovation Solution
A device with a height-adjustable platform and opposing guide rails that move the side walls apart synchronously with the vertical movement of the platform, allowing the side walls to be inserted into receiving pockets without interference, using static guide rails and optical sensors for alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the side walls of the roll container are kept close together during lifting, then the container structure remains compact and stable, but the upper edges cannot be inserted into the receiving pockets due to insufficient lateral separation
Solution Approach 1:
The side walls are made dynamically adjustable through a lateral displacement mechanism. During the lifting process, the guide rails actively separate the upper edges of the side walls laterally, creating the necessary clearance for insertion into receiving pockets. After insertion, the side walls can be returned to their original parallel position, enabling dynamic adaptation between compact storage and insertion configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide rails are introduced as intermediary elements between the lifting platform and the side walls. These guide rails engage with the upper edges of the side walls during lifting, providing the lateral separating force needed to enable insertion into receiving pockets, while not becoming part of the final container structure.
2Ease of operation
If the side walls are tilted inwards to facilitate insertion, then the upper edges can reach the receiving pockets more easily, but the storage space accessibility is reduced and items may not be properly contained
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral separation of side walls is performed preliminarily during the lifting process, before the container reaches its final position. This preliminary action ensures that the upper edges are already separated and ready for insertion into receiving pockets, eliminating the need for subsequent tilting operations that would compromise storage space accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls maintain their vertical, non-tilted orientation throughout the operation, with dynamic lateral separation provided only during the critical insertion phase through the guide rails. This dynamic approach preserves the container's optimal storage configuration while enabling easy insertion when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a height-adjustable platform is used to raise and lower the roll container, then the container can be positioned at different levels for loading, but the side wall alignment with receiving pockets becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails serve as intermediary elements that decouple the height adjustment function from the side wall alignment function. The platform provides vertical positioning flexibility, while the guide rails automatically handle the lateral alignment and separation of side walls, simplifying the overall system despite the height-adjustable platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function is segmented from the positioning function. The platform handles vertical positioning independently, while the guide rails handle lateral alignment and separation independently. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without adding complexity to the other.
4Reliability
If the receiving pockets completely receive the side walls, then the container is securely held during picking, but the guide rails must precisely coordinate the lateral movement of side walls
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails act as intermediary alignment devices that automatically guide the upper edges of the side walls into the receiving pockets. This intermediary mechanism reduces the precision requirements for direct manual or automated alignment, as the guide rails provide the necessary guidance and lateral separation during the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral separation and alignment of side walls is performed preliminarily during the lifting and insertion process, before the container is fully secured in the receiving pockets. This preliminary alignment action ensures that the side walls are correctly positioned for secure holding, reducing the need for high-precision adjustments during the securing phase.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for picking individual items (1) into a roll container (2), which comprises a loading platform (4) movable on rollers (3) and two opposing side walls (6) laterally delimiting a storage space (5) of the roll container (2) for the individual items (1), extending upwards from two opposing edge sections of the movable loading platform (4), and comprising a feeding device (11) which has opposing guide rails (12.1, 12.2) configured to move the opposing upper edges (6.1, 6.2) of the two side walls (6) of a roll container (2) such a distance apart while the roll container (2), which is placed on a platform (9), is lifted within a picking chute (8) that the upper edges (6.1, 6.2) of the two side walls (6) of the roll container (2) are placed in receiving pockets (7) of the device. (10) can immerse themselves.The invention also relates to an associated method.