Product Group Separation Device with Independent Drive Speeds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separating devices are inflexible in accommodating containers of varying sizes and have unmodifiable output, as they rely on fixed conveyor belt speed and container diameter, limiting their ability to process different product sizes efficiently.

Innovation Solution

The device employs multiple pairs of resilient drive elements with independent speed profiles, each controlled by its own servo motor, allowing for adaptable operation and adjustable output by modifying the speed and torque of each drive shaft to synchronize with the specific requirements of different product groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single conveyor belt speed is used for all separating elements, then the device structure is simple, but the output cannot be modified and cannot accommodate different container sizes efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different container sizesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying system is divided into multiple independent conveying sections, each with its own drive mechanism. This allows each section to operate at different speeds and handle different container sizes independently, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by creating modular, independently controllable units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs dynamically adjustable conveying speeds for different sections, allowing the system to adapt to various container diameters and group sizes. The independent drive mechanisms enable real-time speed adjustments without affecting other sections, providing versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through localized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the conveyor belt speed is increased to handle smaller containers, then productivity increases, but containers with large diameters cannot be processed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoutputVSAvoidcompatibility with different container diameters

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying system is segmented into multiple independently driven sections, allowing each section to operate at optimal speeds for different container types. This enables the system to maintain high productivity for small containers in certain sections while processing large containers at appropriate speeds in other sections, simultaneously achieving both high output and broad adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the conveying system have locally optimized characteristics, including independent speed control and adjustable separating element positions. This allows each local section to be tailored to specific container size requirements, enabling the overall system to handle diverse container diameters while maintaining high productivity across all sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between dividing elements is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different product group sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in product group sizingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positions and spacing of dividing elements are made dynamically adjustable through independently controlled conveying sections. Each section can modify its separating element distances to create different product group sizes as needed, providing flexibility in group sizing while keeping device complexity manageable through localized, independent adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If the separating elements move at high speed to increase output, then productivity increases, but containers may fall over due to excessive speed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveoutputVSAvoidcontainer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying system is divided into multiple sections with independent speed control, allowing high-speed operation in sections where stability is maintained and appropriate speed control in sections handling delicate operations. This segmentation enables the system to achieve high overall productivity while maintaining container stability through localized speed optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each conveying section has locally optimized speed characteristics tailored to its specific function and the container types it handles. This allows the system to maintain high productivity through fast conveying in appropriate sections while ensuring container stability in sections where speed must be controlled, achieving both high output and reliable container handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8286781B2Device for separating product groups

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 KHS GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for forming product groups from a flow of a plurality of identical piece goods fed by means of conveying devices, having an infeed track (16) and dividing elements engaging in the product flow in a synchronized manner transverse to the transport plane on at least one pair of driven, endlessly circulating flexible drive elements (7, 11, 12), wherein at least one crossbar (8) is disposed on each of said pairs of flexible drive elements, dividing elements (9) being held thereon, wherein at least three pairs of flexible drive elements (7, 11, 12) are provided within a device, wherein each of said pairs can be operated with a unique velocity profile.