Sorting Pusher Presorting Switch Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sorting devices face challenges in achieving high-speed sorting while maintaining efficient operation and minimizing costs, as they require increased power or reduced switching times for pusher members, leading to increased costs and potential mechanical stress.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a presorting switch device and switchable switch devices with guide means, allowing selective positioning of pusher members to optimize space and reduce the need for increased power or faster switching, enabling higher conveying speeds without excessive mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the conveying speed is increased to achieve high-speed sorting, then the productivity is improved, but the switching time for pusher members becomes too short, requiring increased power or reduced switching times which increases costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting speedVSAvoidswitching time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The presorting switch device positions pusher members in advance to the second transverse position before the main sorting operation. This preliminary positioning ensures that when high-speed sorting occurs, the pusher members are already in the correct position, eliminating the need for rapid switching during the critical sorting moment and allowing sustained high conveying speeds without increasing power requirements or reducing switching times

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If more than one pusher member is positioned at the second transverse position for parallel sorting, then the versatility is improved, but the space between successive pusher members decreases, requiring higher conveying speeds which increases mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparallel sorting capabilityVSAvoidconveying speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The presorting switch device selectively positions only those pusher members at the second transverse position that will actually be used for sorting products. This selective preliminary positioning maintains adequate space between successive pusher members even when multiple pusher members are active, enabling parallel sorting capability without requiring excessive conveying speeds that would increase mechanical stress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3595994B1Apparatus, system and method for sorting products
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 VANDERLANDE IND
  • EP3595994B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3595994B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3595994B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1), system and method for sorting products, the device comprising a frame, carriers (2) for products, pusher members (20) which are displaceable along a carrier (2), guide means (32) with a guiding member (38) for guiding the pusher member (20) in a conveying direction during transportation of the carriers (2) in order to move it in a length direction of the carrier (2), for the purpose of laterally moving a product off the supporting surface at a discharge location, a presorting switch device (36) with a presorting switch member (50) in order, in an active presorting position, to move or keep the pusher member (20) to or in a second transverse position, a switchable switch device (34) with a switch member (56) in order, in an active position, to move the pusher member (20) in such a way that the guide member (24) is subsequently guided by the guiding member (38).