Sorting Carriage Speed Control for Flexible Cargo Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting devices for piece goods require speed synchronization between delivering and receiving carriages, limiting flexibility in transferring cargo within a transfer area.
Innovation Solution
The sorting device allows carriages on the first lane to move at different speeds than those on the second lane, enabling flexible transfer points by controlling the movement based on carriage positions, with wireless communication and master-slave control of sorting trolleys, and includes horizontal and vertical curvatures within the transfer area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If speed synchronization between sorting carriage and receiving carriage is maintained, then transfer reliability is improved, but transfer flexibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the sorting carriage to change its speed dynamically within the transfer area. The control system adjusts the speed of the sorting carriage based on real-time position information and transfer requirements, enabling flexible speed matching with different receiving carriages at different locations, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable transfer and achieving flexible operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the speed parameter of the sorting carriage dynamically during operation. By continuously adjusting the speed parameter based on position feedback and transfer demands, the system can adapt to different transfer scenarios while maintaining reliable cargo transfer, thereby resolving the contradiction between transfer reliability and operational flexibility.
2Device complexity
If fixed transfer points are used, then device complexity is reduced, but transfer adaptability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms fixed transfer points into dynamic transfer locations by enabling the sorting carriage to adjust its position and speed continuously. This dynamic approach allows transfers to occur at multiple locations along the track rather than at fixed points, enhancing transfer adaptability while using a relatively simple track and carriage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the sorting carriage, receiving carriages, and transfer operations. It processes position information and determines optimal transfer timing and locations, enabling flexible transfers without requiring complex mechanical transfer mechanisms at fixed points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable speed control is implemented, then transfer flexibility is improved, but control complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the position of the sorting carriage and receiving carriages, then using this information to adjust the speed of the sorting carriage. This closed-loop feedback system enables flexible variable speed control while keeping the control logic relatively simple, as it relies on real-time position data rather than complex predetermined sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical speed adjustment mechanisms with electronic/control-based speed regulation. The drive system of the sorting carriage is controlled electronically based on position feedback, substituting mechanical complexity with simpler electronic control logic that can be programmed and adjusted flexibly.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Sorting device for general cargo, comprising several sorting carriages moving cyclically on a first track, each equipped with a controlled load-handling element for picking up and dropping general cargo, with at least one infeed station arranged adjacent to the first track, at which general cargo can be fed onto a load-handling element of a sorting carriage located in the area of the infeed station, and with several receiving carriages moving on a second track, wherein a part of the second track is arranged within a transfer area for transferring a general cargo item from a sorting carriage to a receiving carriage adjacent to a part of the first track, and with a central control system.the position information of the sorting carriages on the first track and the receiving carriages on the second track is obtained, and by which a load-handling element of a selected moving sorting carriage can be controlled to transfer a piece of goods located on it to a selected moving receiving carriage, at a time when the selected sorting carriage is within the transfer area adjacent to the selected receiving carriage, and methods for sorting using the device.