Transport Device with Detection and Handling for Mass Flow Blockages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices struggle with efficiently dividing and managing mass flows of articles into individual lanes, particularly in packaging machines, due to issues like blockages caused by unevenly positioned or damaged articles, which can lead to disruptions and machine downtime, especially when dealing with non-circular based articles and plastic containers that stick together.
Innovation Solution
A transport device equipped with adjustable aisle plates and detection systems, including sensors and handling devices, to identify and rectify blockages by recognizing articles with reduced transport speed, irregular footprints, or those blocking lanes, and automatically reposition or remove them to maintain flow, using a combination of sensors and a handling device that can grasp and move articles to clear obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If articles are transported in mass flow and divided into individual lanes using lane plates, then throughput and processing efficiency are improved, but blockages occur when articles are not properly positioned or get stuck on lane plates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device scans articles in the mass flow before they reach the lane division point to identify improperly positioned articles. The handling device then removes or repositions these articles in advance, preventing blockages at the lane plates and ensuring continuous conveyance while maintaining high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device continuously monitors article positions in real-time and provides feedback to the handling device. When an article is detected to be improperly positioned or likely to block a lane, the system responds by automatically removing or repositioning the article, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains conveyance reliability
2Reliability
If known detection devices are used to monitor container feeding, then disruptions can be detected, but the devices must be adapted or converted when container size changes
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is designed with adjustable parameters and a universal detection mechanism that can accommodate different container sizes, shapes, and types. The system uses configurable detection thresholds and adaptable scanning patterns, allowing it to function effectively across multiple container variants without requiring hardware changes or complex reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities where detection parameters such as sensitivity thresholds, scanning speeds, and evaluation criteria can be automatically or manually adjusted based on the specific container being processed. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain reliable disruption detection across varying container specifications
Data Source
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AI summary
The transport device (20) for transporting articles (10) in a mass flow (11) towards a separating element for dividing the mass flow in two lanes, comprises a detection device for detection of articles in a separation area, where the detection device reduces a transport rate compared to a transport speed of the mass flow transported articles and/or performs detection of articles whose base deviates from a known base surface of a mass flow transported article and/or performs detection of a lack of articles associated with one lane, which is coupled with a handling device. The transport device (20) for transporting articles (10) in a mass flow (11) towards a separating element for dividing the mass flow in two lanes, comprises a detection device for detection of articles in a separation area, where the detection device reduces a transport rate compared to a transport speed of the mass flow transported articles and/or performs detection of articles whose base deviates from a known base surface of a mass flow transported article and/or performs detection of a lack of articles associated with one lane, which is coupled with a handling device for positioning and/or removing the articles identified by the detection device or adjacent articles. The detection device is arranged above and/or a side of a transport plane of the transport device, and comprises a sensor for detection of articles with reduced transport rate and/or detection of articles whose base deviates from the known base surface of the mass flow transported article and/or detection of a defect of articles in one lane. The handling device comprises a unit for gripping and/or moving articles with reduced transport speed on the transport plane opposite or perpendicular to the transport direction, and a gripping unit for the articles with reduced transport velocity and/or the product whose base deviates from the known base surface of the mass flow transported article and/or adjacent articles. The handling device is formed through a robot such as a gantry robot. The detection device is coupled with an evaluation unit (32) for controlling and/or influencing the state of motion of a conveyor. An independent claim is included for a method of detecting and positioning of articles.