Separation Sheet Transfer for Depalletizing Disarranged Products
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic systems struggle to automate the depalletizing process when products on pallets become disarranged during transport, as they rely on precise initial arrangements that are disrupted by flexible separation sheets lacking structural rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing grippers to grasp flexible separation sheets, transferring them to a support surface, and using pushers to remove products while maintaining sheet integrity, ensuring accurate retrieval despite initial disarray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible separation sheets are used between product layers on pallets, then the sheets can be easily manipulated and inserted, but the sheets deform under product weight causing products to become disarranged
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state of the separation sheet from flexible to rigid by freezing it in place. The sheet transitions from a deformable flexible material to a rigid structure that maintains product arrangement, solving the contradiction between ease of manipulation and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
A support surface is introduced as an intermediary element between the flexible separation sheet and the products. This support surface provides the necessary rigidity to prevent sheet deformation and product disarrangement, while allowing the flexible sheet to remain in place for easy manipulation during loading.
2Extent of automation
If robotic systems with pre-arranged gripping heads are used for depalletizing, then automation is achieved, but the system cannot handle products that are not in the predetermined arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by freezing the flexible separation sheets in place during the palletizing process. This preliminary freezing of the sheet structure ensures that products maintain their predetermined arrangement throughout storage and transport, enabling subsequent automated depalletizing without requiring the products to be re-arranged.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of the separation sheet from flexible to rigid through freezing. This parameter change transforms the sheet into a structure that maintains product positioning, thereby enabling automated robotic systems to reliably handle products in their predetermined arrangement during depalletizing operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid support structures are used to maintain product arrangement, then product stability is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex rigid support structures, the invention changes the parameter of the existing flexible separation sheet by freezing it in place. This approach achieves the necessary rigidity and product stability without adding complex support structures, thereby maintaining system simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables automated depalletizing by controlling sheet deformation and maintaining product order, allowing for efficient and reliable handling of disarranged products.
Implementation Method 1
each gripper comprises two suction heads configured to create a suction condition
Data Source
AI summary
A device for picking up products stacked on pallets comprises a receiving station configured to receive a pallet, an unloading station comprising a support surface, a transfer equipment movable between the receiving station and the unloading station and configured to pick up a separation sheet from the receiving station and deposit it in the unloading station. The transfer equipment comprising a plurality of grippers, wherein each gripper is configurable between a closed condition in which it grips the separation sheet made of flexible material and an open condition in which it releases the separation sheet made of flexible material. A main pusher is placed in the unloading station and is movable along the support surface following an active section of a first path.