Telescopic Distribution Blade for Continuous Palletizer Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distribution swords for packaging units, such as sacks, require the upstream conveyor to be stopped in order to change direction, which reduces throughput and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The distribution sword is equipped with a second adjustment axis, allowing it to be adjusted along the conveyor, and a telescopic section that can be extended or retracted, enabling continuous operation without stopping the upstream conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distribution blade is pivoted from left to right around its axis of rotation, then the packaging units are distributed into multiple lanes, but the upstream indexing conveyor must be stopped which reduces the flow of bags
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution blade is made dynamically adjustable in two directions: it can pivot laterally around its axis to distribute bags into different lanes, and it can be extended or retracted along the conveying direction. This dynamic capability allows the blade to be retracted during pivoting operations, eliminating the need to stop the upstream conveyor and maintaining continuous bag flow while still achieving effective distribution into multiple lanes.
2Productivity
If the distance between individual bags is reduced to increase throughput, then more bags can pass the distribution blade per unit time, but the distribution blade cannot be pivoted without stopping the conveyor
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution blade incorporates a telescopic mechanism that allows it to extend and retract along the conveying direction. When the blade needs to be pivoted to change distribution lanes, it retracts to a shorter position, creating sufficient space for pivoting motion. This enables the blade to be adjusted even when bags are closely spaced, maintaining high throughput while preserving operational flexibility for lane changes.
3Productivity
If the upstream indexing conveyor speed is increased to achieve larger sack flow, then more sacks can be palletized per hour, but excessive belt speeds are not desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution blade is retracted in advance before pivoting operations are performed. This preliminary retraction creates the necessary space for the blade to swing into different positions without colliding with closely spaced bags. As a result, the conveyor can maintain higher speeds with reduced bag spacing, increasing the palletizing rate without requiring excessively high belt speeds, because the distribution blade adjustment is performed smoothly during continuous operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a separating conveyor for a palletizer, wherein the separating conveyor has an upstream inlet side and a downstream outlet side and is configured for conveying packaging units in the conveying direction from the inlet side towards the outlet side, and with a distribution blade that extends substantially in the conveying direction along the separating conveyor and has a first adjustment axis for laterally deflecting the packaging units, in which the distribution blade is adjustable substantially transversely to the conveying direction, wherein the distribution blade has a second adjustment axis in which at least a section of the distribution blade is adjustable substantially along the separating conveyor.