Mass-Flow Article Distribution With Sensor-Guided Aisle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices face disruptions and inefficiencies when handling random mass flows of articles, particularly beverage containers, leading to tipping and blocking during high-throughput operations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize sensors to detect the actual positions and orientations of articles in a random mass flow, employing manipulators to align and transfer them to specific target positions within adjacent lanes, ensuring minimal disruption and efficient distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If articles are conveyed in a random mass flow at high throughput, then productivity is improved, but articles may tip over and block the container feed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the actual positions and orientations of articles before they are fed into aisles, and pre-aligning them using manipulators. This prevents tipping and blocking during high-throughput operations, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
2Reliability
If sensors and manipulators are used to detect and align articles, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a manipulator system that can handle multiple tasks: detecting article positions, aligning articles to target positions, and transferring them to aisles. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Productivity
If articles are aligned to specific target positions, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs sensors to detect the actual positions and orientations of articles, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of manipulator actions to achieve accurate alignment with target positions, balancing productivity improvement with manageable precision requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) for handling a multiplicity of articles (9) of an unordered mass flow is disclosed. The apparatus (1) comprises at least one horizontal conveying device (13) for transporting the multiplicity of articles (9) in the unordered mass flow. In addition, the apparatus (1) comprises a sensor arrangement (19) for detecting respective actual positions of the articles (9) transported in the unordered mass flow. Furthermore, the apparatus (1) comprises a plurality of adjacent aisles (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) for articles (9) that follow on from the at least one horizontal conveying device (13) in a direction of flow of the multiplicity of articles (9). The apparatus (1) also includes at least one manipulator (15) which is operatively connected to the at least one sensor arrangement (19) for retrieving at least one article (9) transported in the unordered mass flow. In addition, a desired position is defined in which the particular at least one article (9) is aligned with at least one of the plurality of aisles (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).