Spotlight Instruction Device for Sorting System Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional instruction devices face inefficiencies when illuminating distant or multiple working targets, leading to decreased worker productivity due to the time spent finding the next illumination position.

Innovation Solution

An instruction device with an illumination unit that includes a light source and an angle adjusting mechanism, controlled by a system that pre-illuminates the next target before adjusting the light's posture, ensuring continuous illumination within a predetermined range to guide workers efficiently between storage spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the illumination means moves from one illumination position to a different illumination position using an angle adjusting mechanism, then the worker can be instructed on different working targets, but the worker takes time in finding light illuminated on the different illumination position, causing decreased working efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to instruct on different working targetsVSAvoidTime for worker to find next illumination position
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination means starts illuminating the different illumination position before the angle adjusting mechanism completes its movement. This preliminary action ensures that the light is already visible when the worker arrives at the new position, eliminating the time delay associated with searching for the next illumination point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination means continues to illuminate throughout the entire movement process of the angle adjusting mechanism, maintaining continuous visual guidance for the worker. This continuous illumination ensures that the worker can always see the current working target without interruption or delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple working targets are instructed at random positions, then the illumination means can cover various working areas, but the worker takes time in finding the next illumination position

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCoverage of multiple working targetsVSAvoidWorker productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by illuminating the next working target before the worker completes the current task. This feedback mechanism guides the worker proactively to the next position, reducing search time and improving productivity while maintaining the ability to cover multiple working targets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Area of stationary object

If the illumination means is positioned at a long distance from the current working target, then the angle adjusting mechanism provides wide coverage, but the worker takes time to locate the next illumination position

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCoverage area of illuminationVSAvoidTime to locate next illumination position
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination means activates at the new position before the angle adjusting mechanism finishes moving, providing advance visual indication of the next working target. This preliminary illumination reduces the time required for the worker to locate the next position, even when the coverage area is large.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances working efficiency by allowing workers to quickly identify and move to the next storage space, reducing the time spent searching for illumination and increasing productivity.

Implementation Method 1

illumination means that illuminates light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3412602B1Instruction device and sortation system
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 OKURA YUSOKI KK
  • EP3412602B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3412602B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3412602B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide an instruction device and a sorting system capable of contributing to increase in working efficiency. An instruction device (11) of a sorting system (1) includes illumination means (12) that illuminates light and an angle adjusting mechanism (13) that moves the illumination means (12). In addition, the instruction device (11) includes control means (14) that controls the illumination means (12) and the angle adjusting mechanism (13). The illumination means (12) formed of a spotlight draws a light path to a container (3) as a next illumination position based on control by the control means (14).