Rotary Gate Conveyor Sorting for Star-Wheel-Free Article Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting devices for pharmaceutical and food products in freeze dry processes are complex and costly, requiring a star-wheel mechanism, and lack a simple structure capable of efficiently sorting multiple articles based on inspection results.
Innovation Solution
A conveyed articles sorting device with a conveyor, track, and rotary gate system that guides and sorts articles using a non-complex structure, allowing for efficient sorting of multiple articles based on inspection results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a star-wheel mechanism is used for sorting articles, then sorting accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sorting device is divided into multiple independent sorting units, each capable of sorting articles in a specific direction. Each sorting unit includes a separate gate mechanism that can be independently controlled, allowing the system to achieve complex sorting functionality through modular segmentation rather than a single complex star-wheel mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The gates in each sorting unit are designed to be movable and controllable, enabling dynamic adjustment of sorting directions. The gates can be positioned at different angles and heights to accommodate articles of different shapes and sizes, providing adaptability without requiring a fixed complex mechanism like a star-wheel.
2Manufacturing precision
If a star-wheel mechanism is used for sorting articles, then sorting accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses multiple simple sorting units instead of one complex star-wheel mechanism. Each sorting unit can be manufactured independently using simpler processes and materials, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining sorting accuracy through the coordinated operation of multiple units.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorting gates and related components are designed to be simple, replaceable parts that can be manufactured at low cost. Rather than investing in an expensive star-wheel mechanism, the system uses multiple inexpensive sorting units that can be easily replaced or adjusted if needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sorting units are used to sort articles in different directions, then sorting versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sorting device is divided into multiple independent sorting units, each capable of sorting articles in a specific direction. Each sorting unit includes a separate gate mechanism that can be independently controlled, allowing the system to achieve complex sorting functionality through modular segmentation rather than a single complex star-wheel mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sorting unit is designed with universal functionality to handle different types of articles. The gates can be adjusted to sort articles of various shapes, sizes, and orientations, allowing the same basic sorting unit structure to perform multiple sorting functions, thereby increasing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
This conveyed article sorting device is provided with: a conveyor 10 which conveys articles 5; a track 20 configured such that the articles 5 conveyed by the conveyer 10 can be transferred onto the track 20 from the conveyer 10; and a rotary gate 30 which can come into contact with the articles 5 on the conveyor 10, wherein, when an article 5 to be sampled is conveyed by the conveyor 10, the rotary gate 30 moves the article 5 to be sampled, from the conveyor 10 onto the track 20.