Shoe Packaging System with Dynamic Type Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automated packaging systems for shoes lack sufficient automation and flexibility, leading to manual reconfiguration and errors when handling diverse shoe characteristics and batches, resulting in inefficiencies and downtime.

Innovation Solution

An automatic packaging system that dynamically adjusts packaging processes based on real-time determination of shoe type information using RFID, optical sensors, or image recognition, enabling continuous operation and accurate packaging without manual intervention, even with varying shoe characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional packaging systems are used, then packaging can be performed, but the systems lack flexibility and require manual reconfiguration when shoe characteristics change

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmanual reconfiguration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system dynamically adjusts packaging parameters and container selection based on real-time shoe type information detection, enabling automatic adaptation to different shoe characteristics without manual reconfiguration. The system transitions from static to dynamic operation by continuously detecting shoe properties and adjusting packaging processes accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting shoe type information and adjusting packaging parameters without human intervention. The automated detection and control systems enable the packaging equipment to reconfigure itself when processing different shoe types, models, or sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated packaging is implemented, then productivity increases, but errors occur due to incorrect matching of shoes to boxes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging speedVSAvoidpackaging accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where shoe type information is detected and used to verify correct matching between shoes and packaging containers. The control system continuously monitors packaging parameters and adjusts them based on detected shoe characteristics, ensuring accurate matching while maintaining high packaging speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of shoe type information before the packaging process begins. By detecting shoe characteristics in advance and pre-configuring packaging parameters, the system ensures accurate matching from the start of each packaging operation, preventing errors before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual packaging is used, then flexibility is maintained, but productivity and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling diversityVSAvoidpackaging throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse shoe types, models, and sizes through a single automated platform. By integrating universal detection and adjustment capabilities, the system can process various shoe characteristics without requiring separate manual operations for each type.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical packaging operations with automated detection and control systems. Optical sensors, RFID readers, and automated actuators substitute human hands and eyes, enabling high-speed automated packaging that maintains the flexibility previously requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If packaging systems are reconfigured manually for new batches, then accuracy is maintained, but downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging precisionVSAvoidsystem downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically reconfigures packaging parameters in real-time based on detected shoe type information from new batches. Instead of static manual reconfiguration, the control system automatically adjusts packaging parameters as shoes are detected on the production line, eliminating downtime while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and configuration for new shoe batches before actual packaging begins. By detecting shoe characteristics in advance and pre-setting packaging parameters automatically, the system eliminates the time-consuming manual reconfiguration process while ensuring packaging precision from the first item of each batch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3680186B1Method and system for automated packaging of shoes
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 ADIDAS AG
  • EP3680186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3680186B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3680186B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system for automatic packaging of shoes, comprising means for determining shoe type information from a shoe or pair of shoes to be packaged, means for automatically packaging the shoe or pair of shoes in a packaging container and means for dynamically controlling the automatic packaging based at least in part on the determined shoe type information.