Transfer Unit Planar Sweeping for Unstable Product Stacks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring unstable products like bottles or cans between treatment lines and intermediate storage are either unstable, complex, or require specific tray designs that limit flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that use trays for transferring products, where a single tray is moved between a collection surface and a receiving zone, allowing for either loading or unloading with a planar sweeping movement, and enabling flexible and efficient transfer of products between treatment lines and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If products are swept onto an existing stack, then transfer speed is improved, but stack stability deteriorates and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the transfer process into discrete tray-level operations rather than bulk stack operations. Each tray is transferred independently using a forklift, eliminating the stability issues associated with sweeping entire stacks. The stack is segmented into individual transferable units (trays) that can be handled separately.
Solution Approach 2:
A forklift acts as an intermediary device between the stack and the treatment line. Instead of directly sweeping products onto the stack, the forklift transfers loaded trays to the stack and retrieves trays from the stack, providing a stable and controlled transfer mechanism that maintains stack integrity while enabling efficient product movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a stack is lowered at each new layer, then product grouping flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing forklift infrastructure to perform stack manipulation tasks. The forklift naturally lifts and positions trays at different heights, eliminating the need for dedicated stack lowering mechanisms. The forklift's inherent capabilities are leveraged to provide the necessary vertical movement for flexible product grouping.
Solution Approach 2:
The forklift serves multiple functions: transferring loaded trays to the stack, retrieving trays from the stack, positioning trays at appropriate heights, and enabling flexible product grouping. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for specialized equipment for each task, reducing overall system complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If trays have referencing cavities or ribs for stabilization, then product stability is improved, but tray design specificity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical tray features (cavities, ribs, referencing structures) with a mechanical handling system (forklift). Instead of modifying trays to stabilize products, the forklift provides the stabilization and positioning functions through its lifting and positioning capabilities, allowing trays to remain simple, universal containers.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for transferring products, to or from a product collection surface of a product processing line, on which they can accumulate, in which method products are stored in trays. The method includes a loaded tray transfer step, during which a tray, namely the collection tray, is separately moved between the collection surface and a receiving zone, where tray conveyor is provided, as well as a product transfer step, during which products are transferred between the collection surface and the collection tray with a planar sweeping movement, while the collection tray is held flush with the collection surface. Also disclosed is a corresponding device for transferring products.