Sorting Conveyor Guides for Compact Multi-Inlet Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting devices require large floor space due to variations in product parameters such as size, shape, weight, and center of gravity, leading to unpredictable paths and longer inlet lengths, which is inefficient in terms of space utilization.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of displaceable guides that adjust their position to guide products to the correct receiving unit, allowing for shorter inlet lengths by obstructing or providing a free passage based on the product's trajectory, thus optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveyor runs at high speed to create high sorting capacity, then productivity is improved, but products may be discharged at locations upstream of the upstream edge of the inlet, requiring larger inlet lengths to accommodate variation in product paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the guide elements displaceable rather than fixed. The guides can move between a first position where they extend beyond the inlet to intercept products discharged too early, and a second position where they are retracted to allow products to pass freely. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high conveyor speeds while accommodating variations in product discharge locations, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and inlet length requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the position of the guide elements based on the actual discharge location of products. The discharging system can adjust the guide position parameter in response to where products are discharged from the conveyor, allowing the same inlet to effectively serve a wider range of discharge locations without increasing its physical length, thus maintaining high sorting capacity while minimizing inlet dimensions
2Reliability
If the inlet length is increased to accommodate variation in product paths, then reliability of product capture is improved, but the required floor space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The displaceable guides enable the system to dynamically extend the effective capture zone beyond the physical inlet boundaries when needed, without permanently increasing the inlet structure. The guides can be positioned to intercept products that would otherwise miss the inlet, ensuring reliable product capture while keeping the actual inlet length and floor space footprint minimal
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements act as intermediary components between the conveyor and the inlet. They intercept products that have been discharged at locations upstream of the inlet and redirect them toward the inlet opening. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliable product capture without requiring the inlet itself to be longer, thereby maintaining compact floor space requirements
3Area of stationary object
If the inlet length is decreased to reduce floor space, then area utilization is improved, but products may pass the downstream edge of the inlet and arrive at adjacent inlets
Solution Approach 1:
The displaceable guides can be positioned in a first location where they extend downstream of the inlet to act as a barrier preventing products from passing beyond the downstream edge. This dynamic positioning ensures that even with short inlets, products are reliably directed to the correct receiving unit and cannot accidentally enter adjacent inlets, thereby maintaining product destination accuracy while minimizing floor space
Data Source
AI summary
A sorting device (1) comprises a conveyor (3) for supporting and transporting products in a direction of conveyance (X), a discharging system (10, 13) for selectively discharging products from the conveyor (3) at predefined locations (A) in the direction of conveyance (X) and a plurality of receiving units (2) including respective inlets (6) for receiving discharged products from the conveyor (3). The inlets (6) are arranged behind each other parallel to the conveyor (3) at a distance of the conveyor (3) and each of the inlets (6) has an upstream edge (7) and a downstream edge (8) which lies at a distance from the upstream edge (7) in the direction of conveyance (X). The sorting device (1) is provided with displaceable guides (12, 12′, 14, 14′) which cooperate with the discharging system (10, 13) and at least one of the upstream edges (7) and the downstream edges (8) of the inlets (6) of the respective receiving units (2). Each guide (12, 12′, 14, 14′) has a first position (12, 14) for guiding a discharged product to the inlet (2) of a selected receiving unit (2) in which first position (12, 14) it is located between the conveyor (3) and the inlet (6) of the selected receiving unit (2) at said at least one of the upstream edge (7) and the downstream edge (8) thereof, and a second position (12′, 14′) for providing a free passage for a discharged product to another inlet which is located adjacent to said at least one of the upstream edge (7) and the downstream edge (8).