Sliding Table Roller Locking for Stable Pack Palletizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing palletizing devices with freely rotating rollers on sliding tables experience involuntary displacement of packs during loading, leading to unstructured layers and instability in the final stacked pallet.
Innovation Solution
A locking system for rollers on the sliding table palletizing device that includes a locking actuator and locker mechanism to prevent free rotation during the opening phase, ensuring controlled movement and alignment of packs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rollers are mounted to freely rotate on the sliding table, then packs can move laterally during loading, but packs experience involuntary displacement and unstructured layers during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The roller locking system dynamically changes the state of rollers from free rotation during loading to locked position during opening. The locking means is actuated by the opening movement itself, automatically transitioning from a dynamic (free rotation) to static (locked) state to prevent pack displacement while maintaining ease of operation during loading phase
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the harmful lateral movement of packs during the opening phase before it can cause unstructured layers. The locking means engages in advance during opening to counteract the potential displacement effect, maintaining pack alignment and layer structure
2Stability of the object's composition
If rollers are locked during opening to prevent pack displacement, then pack alignment is maintained, but device complexity increases due to locking system components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means serves multiple functions: it locks rollers during opening to maintain pack alignment, and automatically unlocks during closing to enable lateral movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving stable pack alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system is self-actuating through the opening movement itself. The motion of the sliding table during opening automatically triggers the locking means to engage and lock the rollers, eliminating the need for external control systems or additional actuators, thus minimizing added complexity
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
The locking system maintains pack alignment and stability during palletizing, resulting in a structured and stable final pallet formation.
Implementation Method 1
by limiting friction of the bottom of the packs on the rollers
Implementation Method 2
by fast controlling a fall of the packs only under the effect of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A palletizing device for container packs including a structure and a loading surface of the packs with side-by-side parallel rollers mounted on mobile frames with a freely rotation. Two side parts are movable from a closed position to an open position, and reversely. When a locking system of the rollers with a locking means with a cart with a locker mobile from a folded position to an unfolded position, and reversely, is in the unfolded position, the locker is blocking the freely rotation of the rollers, and the locking system has a fixed locking actuator cooperating with the locking actuator to move the locker from the folded position to the unfolded position to lock the rollers of the two sides parts during the movement from the closed to the opened position. In some examples, displacement of the loading surface can cause the locker to either engage or disengage.