Stepped Alignment Wall for Stable Mail Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacking devices are unsuitable for handling large quantities of mixed mail items with different formats, as they tend to tip over or fail to form a uniform stack, leading to instability and difficulty in removal.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a receiving plate and a stepped longitudinal alignment wall, where the plate is inclined and the wall has vertical steps, preventing forward tipping and allowing for stable alignment and easy removal of stacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If mail items are stacked in a large quantity in existing stacking devices, then the storage capacity is increased, but the stack becomes unstable and tips over
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stepped longitudinal alignment wall with vertical steps at different positions along the transport direction. This creates multiple height levels (dimensions) within the stacking device, allowing mail items to be stacked in an orderly manner across different steps. The stepped structure prevents stacks from tipping over by providing lateral support at multiple heights, thus resolving the contradiction between increased storage capacity and maintained stack stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mail items of different formats are stacked together, then the versatility of the stacking device is improved, but the stack becomes unaligned and difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent features a receiving plate that is inclined at an angle between 5° and 15° relative to the horizontal. This local inclination creates a gravitational component that naturally guides mail items of different formats to align themselves along the transport direction. The inclined surface provides a uniform alignment mechanism that works for various mail formats, ensuring orderly stacking and easy removal without compromising versatility.
3Device complexity
If the receiving plate is horizontal, then the stacking device is simple in structure, but mail items do not align uniformly and stacks are unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the receiving plate from horizontal to inclined, with the inclination angle set between 5° and 15° relative to the horizontal. This parameter change fundamentally alters how mail items interact with the receiving surface, causing them to naturally align along the transport direction due to gravitational forces. The inclined configuration achieves uniform stack alignment while maintaining relatively simple device structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and alignment precision.
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
Enables the orderly storage and easy removal of a large number of mixed mail items by limiting stack height and ensuring stability through the stepped alignment, allowing for uniform stack heights and improved accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
the receiving plate (20) is inclined on the one hand downwards at an angle β relative to the transport direction (z) of the flat goods (3) on the deck (12)
Implementation Method 2
a longitudinal alignment wall (22) stepped in at least two steps (STi) is arranged on a rear side of the storage device (2)
Data Source
Figure 1a~2d
Figure 3
AI summary
In goods processing systems, storage devices for flat goods are used as the final station in a mail processing line. The storage device comprises a receiving plate for receiving flat goods, a longitudinal alignment wall (22) stepped in at least two stages on a rear side of the storage device, and a stop wall (24) arranged at the downstream end of the receiving plate.