Sorting Facility Trajectory Detection and Automatic Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sorting installations require manual and complex adjustments for article ejection, relying on operator experience, with no reliable measurement for control or automatic error correction, leading to non-reproducible and time-consuming adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A sorting installation equipped with a detector and analyzer system that provides real-time feedback on article trajectories, allowing for automatic adjustment of conveyor operating parameters to ensure correct ejection trajectories, using sensors like cameras, infrared, or ultrasound, and a control system to modify ejection speed, triggering instant, or displacement speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment methods are used for article ejection, then operator experience can guide the adjustment process, but the adjustment is non-reproducible and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated optical measurement and control system. A detector (camera) captures article trajectories, an analyzer processes the images to determine trajectory parameters, and a control system automatically adjusts conveyor speed and trigger timing, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustment while reducing time from minutes to seconds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where the detector continuously monitors article trajectories, the analyzer processes trajectory data in real-time, and the control system adjusts ejection parameters based on the analyzed feedback. This automatic feedback loop replaces manual observation and adjustment, making the process both faster and reproducible
2Adaptability or versatility
If empirical adjustment methods are used for ejection positioning, then adjustments can be made based on operator feeling, but the adjustment is not reproducible across different installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective manual adjustment with objective automated measurement and control. The detector system objectively measures article positions and trajectories, the analyzer calculates precise trajectory parameters, and the control system reproduces optimal settings across different installations, eliminating operator-dependent variability while maintaining adaptability through automated parameter optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies and optimizes ejection parameters (conveyor speed, trigger timing offset) based on measured article characteristics and trajectory requirements. By using automated parameter adjustment based on real measurements rather than fixed empirical values, the system adapts to different article types and installation conditions while ensuring reproducible results
3Device complexity
If no real-time measurement system is used, then the installation can operate without additional sensors, but no reliable reference can be used for control or error detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the absence of measurement systems with an optical detection and analysis system. A detector (camera) captures article trajectories, and an analyzer processes images to determine precise trajectory parameters, providing reliable measurement data for control and error detection that was previously unavailable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement and analysis system between the ejection mechanism and the article trajectory. The detector and analyzer act as intermediaries that capture, process, and provide actionable information about article trajectories, enabling precise control and error detection without directly modifying the ejection mechanism itself
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 precise and automatic adjustment of article ejection, reducing manual intervention and ensuring consistent performance by dynamically correcting ejection trajectories and preventing errors, thus improving the efficiency and reliability of the sorting process.
Implementation Method 1
The detector comprises at least one device chosen from among a camera, an infrared sensor, an ultrasound sensor, and a laser
Implementation Method 2
the detector comprises at least one device chosen from among a camera, an infrared sensor
Implementation Method 3
the detector comprises at least one device chosen from among a camera, an infrared sensor, an ultrasound sensor
Implementation Method 4
the analyzer comprises a means of calculation or a computer suitable for carrying out an analysis of said images or of said films
Implementation Method 5
the control system is suitable for receiving the secondary information and for modifying at least one operating parameter of the conveyor by using the secondary information
Data Source
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AI summary
Facility for sorting items (7) comprising: at least one conveyor (4) comprising supports (3) designed to support the items (7), and at least one receiving device (5), the supports being designed to eject at least some of the items in succession into or onto the receiving device, the ejected items describing true paths (Tr) with respect to the receiving device, the true paths being liable to belong to a predefined set (Tr-Out) of potential paths considered as being incorrect. The facility further comprises: a detector (61) designed to supply primary information relating respectively to true paths, and – an analyser (6) designed to use the said primary information and to produce at least one secondary information item representative of the belonging of at least one of the true paths to the predefined set (Tr-Out). Corresponding method.