Transport System Synchronous Phase Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport systems face challenges in efficiently transferring articles from one transport means to another without causing uncontrollable slippage or tilting, especially when changing speeds, which can lead to spilling or contamination, especially when dealing with liquid products.

Innovation Solution

The method involves operating the transport means at excessive speeds after the synchronous phase to shorten transfer times, while managing acceleration and deceleration based on the properties of the articles to avoid adverse effects, ensuring a smooth and trouble-free transfer by maintaining constant speed profiles and minimizing vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the transport means are operated at excessive speeds after the synchronous phase to shorten transfer times, then the productivity increases, but the risk of uncontrollable slippage or tilting of articles increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer rateVSAvoidarticle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by continuously adjusting the speed profiles of both transport means during acceleration and deceleration phases. The control unit dynamically modifies the speed curves based on detected article properties (mass, center of gravity, friction coefficient) to maintain optimal transfer conditions while maximizing productivity. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to operate at higher speeds without compromising article stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters by adapting the speed profiles according to detected article characteristics. The control unit modifies velocity, acceleration, and deceleration parameters based on measured properties such as mass, center of gravity position, and friction coefficient. This parameter adaptation enables the system to handle different article types optimally while maintaining high transfer rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If the acceleration and deceleration are increased to reduce cycle times, then the transfer time decreases, but the friction required for transport becomes insufficient or liquid content spills over

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle timeVSAvoidspilling or contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting article properties (mass, center of gravity, friction coefficient) before the transfer process begins. Based on this advance information, the control unit pre-calculates and sets the optimal speed profiles for both transport means. This preliminary preparation ensures that acceleration and deceleration are always within safe limits for the specific article being transferred, preventing spilling while minimizing cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback by continuously monitoring the transfer process and adjusting speed profiles based on detected article characteristics. The control unit receives information about article properties and uses this feedback to optimize the motion curves in real-time, ensuring that acceleration and deceleration rates never exceed the friction limits of the specific article being transported.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the synchronous phase is extended to ensure stable transfer, then the reliability improves, but the productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer stabilityVSAvoidtransfer rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the synchronous phase duration adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the length of the synchronous phase based on detected article properties and the specific transfer conditions. This dynamic optimization ensures the synchronous phase is long enough to guarantee stable transfer for each article type while minimizing unnecessary waiting time, thus balancing reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the maximum speed is limited to prevent article damage, then the reliability improves, but the transfer time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle integrityVSAvoidtransfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes speed parameters adaptively based on article characteristics. The control unit modifies the maximum speed, acceleration, and deceleration values according to detected properties such as mass, center of gravity, and friction coefficient. This parameter adaptation allows the system to use higher speeds for robust articles while maintaining lower speeds for delicate items, optimizing both article integrity and transfer time for each case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2505528B1Method for transferring items in a transport system
Publication Date: 2015.06.10 MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMULLER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2505528B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2505528B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2505528B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves transferring an article (4) during a synchronous phase in which drivable transport units (5,8) of a transport system (1) are simultaneously moved at a same common speed. The speed of the transport units during the synchronous phase is partially increased and/or decreased. The speed level at the beginning of the synchronous phase is different from the speed level at the end of the synchronous phase. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) transport system; and (2) packaging machine.