Article Sorting Transfer Area with Dual Stop Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of supplying articles to transport vehicles in an article sorting facility decreases when using multiple transport vehicles instead of conveyors, due to intermittent article transport.
Innovation Solution
The facility is designed with a transfer area that includes two transfer sections on either side of a transfer passage, with specific stop positions for transport vehicles, allowing for simultaneous and interference-free article supply to multiple vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transport vehicles are used instead of conveyors, then transportation flexibility is improved, but article supply efficiency deteriorates due to intermittent transport
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer area is segmented into multiple transfer sections (first transfer section and second transfer section) with separate transfer passages, allowing parallel article supply to multiple transport vehicles simultaneously. This segmentation enables the system to maintain flexibility of individual vehicles while achieving continuous supply through divided workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-dimensional transfer passage layout with passages extending in both Y direction (main transport direction) and X direction (lateral direction). This spatial dimensionality allows multiple transfer sections to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between vehicle flexibility and supply efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transport vehicles operate independently, then route flexibility is improved, but interference between vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer passage acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the transfer area and transport vehicles. By providing designated stop positions and structured transfer sections, it coordinates vehicle movements and article transfers, preventing interference while maintaining route flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the transfer area are assigned specialized functions: the first transfer section handles transfers to vehicles stopping at the first stop position, while the second transfer section handles transfers to vehicles at the second stop position. This local specialization prevents interference by distributing transfer operations across different spatial zones.
Data Source
AI summary
A floor F1 of an article sorting facility 100 includes a transfer area 1 where transfer work is performed to transfer articles G to transport vehicles V. The transfer area 1 includes a transfer passage R1 extending in a Y direction; and a first transfer section 11 and a second transfer section 12 where transfer work for transfer to the transport vehicles V on the transfer passage R1 is performed. The transfer passage R1 includes a first stop position for the transport vehicles V to be supplied with the articles G by the transfer work in the first transfer section 11 to stop; and a second stop position for the transport vehicles V to be supplied with the articles G by the transfer work in the second transfer section 12 to stop, the first stop position and the second stop position set at different positions on the transfer passage R1.