Sorting System with Adjustable Trolley Belts for Compact Logistics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cross-belt sorters in the logistics industry have a long turning radius and trolley pitch, leading to inefficient use of transportation resources and difficulties in accurate automatic package correction due to skewing issues.
Innovation Solution
A sorting system with a conveying mechanism comprising a rack, rollers, and trolleys connected by a chain, where each trolley includes a sorting and conveying mechanism that can move packages in a perpendicular direction, controlled by a controller to adjust package position and orientation, and equipped with wear-resistant materials and shock-absorbing features to enhance precision and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the trolley pitch is increased to accommodate package skewing and enable correction, then package correction capability is improved, but transportation resource utilization deteriorates as each trolley carries only one package
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the correction function by introducing independent correction mechanisms on each trolley rather than relying on large pitch for centralized correction. Each trolley has its own correction capability through adjustable belts, allowing small pitch while maintaining correction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to package correction by allowing belts to move up and down, enabling correction in the vertical direction while maintaining horizontal spacing. This multi-dimensional approach allows accurate correction without increasing horizontal pitch.
2Area of stationary object
If the turning radius is reduced to compact the sorter structure, then space utilization is improved, but package stability deteriorates causing throwing troubles
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamically adjustable belts that can independently move in vertical and horizontal directions to adapt to packages at different positions and orientations. This dynamic adjustment compensates for the reduced turning radius and maintains package stability throughout the sorting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of belt movement (vertical and horizontal positions) to adapt to different package positions and sorting requirements. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains package stability even with a compact structure and smaller turning radius.
3Productivity
If the trolley pitch is decreased to improve resource utilization, then transportation efficiency is improved, but automatic package correction becomes difficult and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
Each trolley is equipped with self-contained correction mechanisms including adjustable belts that can independently correct package positions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for large pitch to enable correction, allowing small pitch while maintaining high correction precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The belts on each trolley serve multiple functions: conveying packages, correcting package positions horizontally, and adjusting vertical positions. This multi-functionality allows accurate correction with small trolley pitch, improving both efficiency and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A sorting system, comprising: a conveying mechanism (1) and a control system (2). The conveying mechanism comprises: a rack (11); two rollers (15, 16) arranged on the rack at intervals along a first horizontal direction; a chain (12) wound around the two rollers; and a plurality of trolleys (13) respectively connected to the chain and sequentially arranged along the first horizontal direction. Each trolley comprises a trolley body (131) and a sorting and conveying mechanism (132) arranged on the trolley body, and the bottom of the trolley body is connected to the chain.