Synchronized Transfer Mechanism for Continuous Intralogistics Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Intralogistics loading processes are limited by manual filling of transport goods into receiving units, leading to reduced loading capacities and high costs, with existing automated solutions experiencing intermittent loading and requiring high precision.

Innovation Solution

A loading device that includes a conveying device, a feeding device, and a transfer device allowing continuous movement of receiving units and transport goods in the same direction, enabling synchronized and clocked transfer of goods, which increases loading efficiency and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If transport goods are manually loaded into receiving units, then loading processes can be performed with simple equipment, but loading capacity is severely limited and costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capacityVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the loading process into distinct functional segments: a feed device for supplying transport goods, a transfer device for receiving and positioning goods, and a conveying device for transporting receiving units. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve continuous automated loading, thereby increasing loading capacity without requiring an overly complex monolithic system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer device acts as an intermediary between the feed device and the receiving units. It receives transport goods from the feed device, positions them appropriately, and transfers them to the moving receiving units. This intermediary component enables the synchronization between continuous goods feeding and continuous receiving unit conveyance, resolving the coordination challenge while maintaining high loading capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If automated loading solutions are implemented, then loading capacity increases, but loading processes become intermittent and require high precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading capacityVSAvoidloading continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to maintain continuous motion of the receiving units along the conveying device throughout the loading process. The transfer device synchronizes its operations with the continuous conveyance, ensuring that goods are transferred without interrupting the flow of receiving units. This continuous action eliminates intermittent stopping and starting, thereby improving reliability and loading continuity while maintaining high capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer device incorporates movable components including transfer elements that can move between different positions to engage with passing receiving units. The system dynamically adjusts the timing and position of goods transfer based on the continuous motion of receiving units, allowing flexible synchronization without requiring high-precision fixed positioning, thus improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If receiving units are stopped during loading, then goods can be accurately transferred, but loading capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer precisionVSAvoidloading capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveying device maintains continuous motion of receiving units throughout the loading zone. The transfer device is synchronized to transfer goods at the correct moment during this continuous motion, eliminating the need to stop receiving units. This approach maintains transfer precision through timing synchronization while preserving loading capacity through uninterrupted conveyance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The feed device preliminarily positions and prepares transport goods before they reach the transfer point. The transfer device is pre-configured with the correct timing and positioning mechanisms to receive goods and transfer them to moving receiving units. This preliminary preparation ensures accurate transfer without requiring the receiving units to be stopped, thereby maintaining both precision and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4079663B1Feeding device
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 FERAG AG
  • EP4079663B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4079663B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4079663B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a feeding device (10, 10a-d) for continuously feeding receiving units (4.1-4.8, 4a-d) with transport goods (T). The loading device (10, 10a-d) comprises a plurality of receiving units (4.1-4.8, 4a-d), a conveying device (2, 2a-d) in which the receiving units (4.1-4.8, 4a-d) can be conveyed, a feeding device (3, 3a-d) for feeding transport goods (T), a transfer device (1, 1a-d) which is configured to take the transport goods (T) from the feeding device (3, 3a-d), convey them and transfer them to the receiving units (4.1-4.8, 4a-d), wherein the transfer device (1, 1a-d) and the receiving units (4.1-4.8, 4a-d) are movable in the same direction during the transfer of the transport goods (T).The transfer device (1, 1a-d) has transfer compartments (12, 12a, 12b, 12d) for receiving the transported goods (T), which have movable lifting devices that are movable between a closed and an open position and in the closed position hold the transported goods (T) in the respective transfer compartment (12, 12a, 12b, 12d), wherein the lifting devices are preferably controllable.