Sorting Mechanism With Dynamic Discharge Tilting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material handling and sorting systems face bottlenecks in throughput capacity due to the need to stop containers or totes for emptying, limiting their maximum capacity and flexibility, especially in high-demand environments like airports.
Innovation Solution
A sorting mechanism with stationary tilting elements that can tilt containers dynamically during passage, controlled by a computerized algorithm to manage tilting angles and coordinate tilting motions, allowing for continuous operation and adaptation to different container lengths and configurations without requiring physical reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the container is stopped in its forward motion for emptying, then the load can be effectively discharged, but the maximum throughput capacity of the sorting mechanism is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static tilting mechanism (requiring container stop) to a dynamic wave-like tilting motion. Multiple tilting elements are activated sequentially to create a propagating tilt wave that moves through the container, enabling load discharge while the container continues moving forward at constant speed. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need to stop the container while still achieving effective emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting mechanism is segmented into multiple independent tilting elements arranged in series along the container's path. Each tilting element can be independently controlled and activated at different times. This segmentation allows the creation of a wave-like motion pattern where the tilt propagates through the container sequentially, enabling continuous forward motion during discharge and thereby increasing throughput capacity.
2Productivity
If the sorting mechanism is designed for high-speed operation, then productivity increases, but the complexity of controlling coordinated tilting motion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system employs periodic activation patterns for the tilting elements, where each element is activated in a repeating sequence to generate the wave-like motion. This periodic action simplifies the control logic compared to arbitrary complex patterns, as the same activation sequence repeats for each container. The periodic nature allows for predictable timing and easier synchronization at high speeds, reducing control complexity while maintaining high productivity.
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
This solution enables high-capacity sorting with the ability to handle up to 2000-4000 totes per hour, flexibility in accepting varying container lengths, and easy maintenance, minimizing downtime, while maintaining high-speed container movement and efficient emptying without stopping.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of tilting elements comprise friction belts arranged to drive the container in the transport direction, the friction belts, one in each side, being symmetrically positioned
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a sorting mechanism arranged to empty or discharge a container for carrying a load, e.g. totes in a luggage handling system. The sorting mechanism has a plurality of tilting elements T1-T11for receiving and transporting the container in a transport direction. The tilting elements T1-T11 are arranged neighbouring each other, and they are individually tiltable by controllable tilting actuators, e.g. servo motors. The tilting elements T1-T11 are controlled in response to at least one position signal such that a group of at least two tilting elements T1-T11perform a coordinated tilting motion, when the container passes the sorting mechanism. Each tilting element T1-T11 has a length of 30-50% of the container. The tilting elements T1-T11 are stationary, and the container is driven forward by belts on each of the tilting elements T1-T11.