Rotatable Collection Base for Flexible Delivery Accumulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing delivery accumulating systems face challenges in efficiently handling and accumulating both small and large deliveries, with conventional systems being unsuitable for large-sized items due to size and cost constraints, and lacking flexibility to switch between accumulation methods.

Innovation Solution

A delivery accumulating apparatus featuring a collection base that can rotate to facilitate evacuation and switch between a standing position accumulating system and a chute system, with an accumulating paddle and guides that support and guide deliveries from an opposite direction, allowing for efficient accumulation and easy system switching based on delivery size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a standing position accumulating system is used for small deliveries, then high-density accumulation is achieved, but the system becomes unsuitable for large-sized deliveries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different delivery sizesVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection base is designed to be rotatable, allowing dynamic switching between horizontal position (for standing accumulation of small deliveries) and vertical position (for chute accumulation of large deliveries). This dynamic reconfiguration enables a single system to adapt to different delivery sizes and accumulation requirements without requiring separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus integrates two accumulation systems (standing position and chute) into one universal device. The collection base serves multiple functions: it acts as an accumulation surface for small deliveries when horizontal, and as a guide for large deliveries when vertical. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing one system to handle both small and large deliveries appropriately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a chute system is used for large deliveries, then miniaturization and simplification are achieved, but the system cannot efficiently accumulate small deliveries

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccumulation efficiency for large deliveriesVSAvoidcapability to handle different delivery sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable collection base enables the system to dynamically switch between chute mode (for efficient large delivery accumulation) and standing position mode (for small delivery accumulation). When handling large deliveries, the base rotates to vertical position allowing gravity-fed chute accumulation, maximizing productivity for that delivery type while maintaining the capability to handle smaller items when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The accumulation space is segmented into two functional modes: chute accumulation for large deliveries and standing position accumulation for small deliveries. The collection base acts as the switching mechanism between these segments, allowing the system to optimize for the appropriate accumulation method based on delivery size requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the collection base is fixed in horizontal position, then standing position accumulation is maintained, but evacuation and system switching become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of accumulation structureVSAvoidease of evacuation and system switching
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The collection base is designed with rotational capability, transforming from a fixed static structure to a dynamic one. This allows the base to rotate between horizontal and vertical positions, enabling easy evacuation of accumulated deliveries and switching between accumulation systems. The rotational mechanism maintains structural stability during operation while providing operational flexibility when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing separate evacuation mechanisms for horizontal accumulation, the system inverts the approach by rotating the entire collection base to a vertical position, allowing gravity to facilitate natural evacuation. This inversion principle simplifies the evacuation process and enables system switching without requiring complex additional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3257593B1Delivery accumulating apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3257593B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3257593B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3257593B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a delivery accumulating apparatus includes a collection base (12) which is capable of accumulating a plurality of deliveries (P) to be sequentially overlapped in a standing state in an accumulating direction (Q) on a surface thereof; an accumulating paddle (22) which is capable of supporting a plurality of the deliveries (P) accumulated on the collection base (12) from an opposite direction of the accumulating direction (Q), the accumulation paddle (22) being arranged from above the collection base (12) so that evacuation is possible; and an accommodation box (50) which is arranged below the collection base (12), and is capable of accommodating a plurality of the deliveries (P).