Transfer Alignment Unit for Piece Goods Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling and transporting piece goods fail to effectively deflect and align them in a way that maintains their order, leading to issues like jam-ups and irregular rows due to uneven spacing and orientation during further handling processes, especially when transitioning from pallet layers with different orientations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a transfer and alignment unit with a movable stop means to deflect and align piece goods into parallel rows, allowing for precise alignment and orientation changes, enabling smooth transition from one conveying direction to a perpendicular direction without gaps or irregularities, using a system of conveyors and adjustable positioning elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If piece goods are deflected at a transfer point to change transport direction, then the transport direction can be changed, but the piece goods become misaligned and irregularly spaced, causing jam-ups and handling problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by aligning the piece goods in the first conveying direction before the deflection point. The alignment means ensures that all piece goods are properly aligned and spaced before being transferred to the second conveying direction, preventing misalignment and jam-ups that would otherwise occur during the direction change.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an intermediary alignment means at the transfer point between the first and second conveying directions. This intermediary device actively adjusts and aligns the piece goods before they enter the second conveying direction, serving as a mediator that prevents the propagation of misalignment and spacing irregularities.
2Productivity
If differently oriented goods from pallet layers are transferred side by side, then the goods can be consolidated, but the initially existing order is broken up and irregular rows are created
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by establishing a proper conveying sequence where goods are conveyed in the first direction, aligned by the alignment means, and then transferred to the second direction. This sequential process maintains the original order of goods while allowing consolidation from multiple pallet layers with different orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by providing alignment means specifically at the transfer point where orientation changes occur. The alignment means is locally positioned to address only the specific problem of misalignment at the direction change point, while allowing the overall conveying system to maintain productivity and consolidation capabilities.
3Device complexity
If a simple transfer mechanism is used to deflect goods, then the device complexity is reduced, but the alignment precision deteriorates, resulting in uneven spacing and irregular rows
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary alignment means at the transfer point that actively adjusts the position of piece goods before they enter the second conveying direction. This intermediary device adds the necessary alignment precision without requiring a complete redesign of the entire conveying system, thus maintaining relative simplicity while improving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment means is designed to handle multiple functions: it aligns piece goods in the first conveying direction, compensates for orientation differences from pallet layers, and ensures proper spacing before transfer. This multi-functionality achieves precise alignment without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for deflecting and aligning goods, which are transported in at least two approximately parallel longitudinal rows, in a first conveying direction to a transfer and alignment unit, from where they are transported further in a second conveying direction perpendicular to the first conveying direction. The transfer and alignment unit is coupled with a stop that is movable in or against the first conveying direction. The stop, in the process of transferring the front transversal row of articles or piece goods to the transfer and alignment unit, is brought into a position that is aligned with the flush front or back side of the first transversal row of articles or piece goods or profiled according to the orientation of the front or back side of the first transversal row of articles or piece goods.