Rotating Sorting Member for Absorbent Article Conveyor

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing sorting systems for absorbent products, the prolonged presence of the sorting member within the main conveyor path leads to inaccurate sorting, especially at high speeds, as it can divert subsequent products to the branch conveyor path.

Innovation Solution

The sorting system employs plate-shaped sorting members that rotate synchronously with the conveyor belt speed, entering the main conveyor path before the branching point to divert products and then quickly retracting to prevent mis-sorting of subsequent products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the sorting member is temporarily stopped inside the main conveyor path to ensure accurate sorting, then sorting precision is improved, but the time the sorting member remains in the main conveyor path increases causing subsequent products to be mis-sorted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting precisionVSAvoidpresence time of sorting member
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sorting member transitions from a static stopped position to a dynamic moving position. The sorting member is moved along the main conveyor path to follow the movement of the product, maintaining relative positioning without stopping. This dynamic approach allows the sorting member to remain effective for the current product while minimizing interference with subsequent products, resolving the contradiction between sorting precision and presence time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the sorting member remains in the main conveyor path for a longer duration to ensure complete sorting action, then sorting completeness is improved, but the risk of diverting subsequent products to the branch conveyor path increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting completenessVSAvoidmis-sorting of subsequent products
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sorting member dynamically follows the product along the main conveyor path rather than remaining stationary. This movement ensures the sorting action is completed for the current product while the sorting member exits the critical zone in time to prevent mis-sorting of subsequent products, thereby maintaining both sorting completeness and preventing harmful mis-sorting effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates the movement of the sorting member with the product conveyance. By synchronizing the sorting member's movement with the product's position and speed, the system ensures complete sorting action while automatically timing the exit to prevent interference with subsequent products, resolving the contradiction between completeness and harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2623078B1Sorting system and sorting method for absorbent articles
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 UNI CHARM CORP
  • EP2623078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2623078B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2623078B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This distributing device (1) for absorbent articles is provided with a main conveyor path (4M), a branch conveyor path (4B) that branches from the main conveyor path (4M), a main conveyor path (2M) that conveys absorbent articles along the main conveyor path (4M), a diverting mechanism (3) that diverts absorbent articles in the main conveyor path (4M) from the main conveyor path (4M) to the branch conveyor path (4B), and a branch conveyor mechanism (4B) that conveys the absorbent articles diverted by the diverting mechanism (3) along the branch conveyor path (4B). The diverting mechanism (3) is provided with a diverting part (8A) for diverting the absorbent articles. The diverting part (8A) moves without stopping, entering the main conveyor path (4M) from a standby position outside the main conveyor path and then, after leaving the main conveyor path (4M), returning to the standby position.