Object Sorting Apparatus With Movable Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sorting apparatuses for packaging lines are inefficient due to elongated processing times caused by the need for lateral and downward displacement of gripping means to reach supports at a lower height, which slows down the formation of homogeneous stacks.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features movable supports at the edge of the conveyor line that maintain a consistent height during stack formation, allowing gripping means to operate with reduced vertical strokes and synchronous group activation for efficient object handling, and a separate evacuation system that operates below the conveyor line to avoid interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If gripping means perform lateral and downward displacement to reach supports at lower height, then objects can be transferred to temporary supports, but processing time is considerably elongated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidgripping means operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the gripping means downward to reach stationary supports, the invention inverts the approach by making the supports movable and bringing them upward to meet the gripping means at the conveyor line height. This eliminates the time-consuming downward stroke and reverse upward stroke of the gripping means, directly resolving the processing time elongation problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transforms the stationary supports into movable supports that can dynamically adjust their position. The supports move upward to the conveyor line height during object transfer, then return to their lower position for stack formation. This dynamic behavior allows the gripping means to operate at a consistent height without lateral and downward displacement, significantly reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If movable supports are positioned at lower height for stack formation, then stacking can occur, but gripping means must perform elongated vertical strokes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking efficiencyVSAvoidgripping means stroke duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional approach by having the supports move upward to meet the gripping means rather than the gripping means moving downward to reach the supports. This eliminates the elongated vertical strokes, allowing high-speed object transfer while maintaining efficient stacking capability at the lower support position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable supports perform preliminary action by positioning themselves at the conveyor line height before object transfer occurs. This pre-positioning eliminates the need for time-consuming vertical strokes during the actual transfer operation, thereby improving stacking efficiency without extending gripping means stroke duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If stacks are formed at the edge of the conveyor line, then conveyor line can advance without slowing down, but evacuation device must operate independently below the line

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyor line speedVSAvoidevacuation device arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing the vertical dimension. The evacuation device is positioned below the conveyor line and operates in this lower space, allowing it to extract stacks without interfering with the horizontal advancement of the conveyor line. This dimensional separation enables both high-speed conveying and independent evacuation operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable supports act as an intermediary between the conveyor line and the evacuation device. They receive objects from the conveyor line at its height, then move downward to position stacks in the lower evacuation zone. This intermediary mechanism enables independent operation of both the conveyor line and evacuation device without mutual interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3307657B1Apparatus for sorting objects

Publication Date: 2019.11.20 SYSTEM CERAMICS SPA

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AI summary

An apparatus for sorting objects conveyed by a conveyor line comprises a conveyor line (2) at which the objects (3) are sorted, a plurality of gripping means (4) of the objects (3) that operate at the portion of the conveyor line (2). The gripping means (4), on command and selectively, pick up the objects present on the portion of the conveyor line (2) and transfer them onto supports (5) disposed in temporary staying areas, selected for forming stacks of objects (3) homogeneous with each other. Lifting and conveyor means (6) are provided for lifting, on command, single objects or stacks of objects (3) which are resting on supports (5) in selected temporary staying areas and for conveying them onto an evacuation line.