Variable-Speed Sorting Control for Tipping-Stable Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sorting systems, such as shoe sorters, face throughput limitations when handling a broad spectrum of varied objects due to the need to minimize acceleration forces to prevent objects from tipping over, which results in reduced handling speed.
Innovation Solution
A sorting system and method that adjusts conveying speed based on the detected article's properties, particularly tipping stability, to optimize throughput by grouping articles with similar conveying speeds and controlling the sorting section's speed accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the conveying speed is reduced to prevent objects from tipping over, then the stability of objects is improved, but the throughput of the sorting system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conveying speed variable rather than constant. The control system dynamically adjusts the conveying speed based on the detected tipping stability of each object, allowing the system to optimize between stability and throughput in real-time. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high speed for stable objects while providing low speed for unstable objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of conveying speed from a fixed value to a variable parameter that is adapted to each object's properties. By storing and retrieving object-specific speed parameters from a database based on identification (e.g., EAN code), the system can apply optimal conveying speeds that prevent tipping while maximizing throughput for each article type.
2Productivity
If the conveying speed is increased to improve throughput, then the productivity is improved, but the stability of objects deteriorates due to higher acceleration forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts conveying speed based on object characteristics. Objects with high tipping stability can be conveyed at higher speeds, while unstable objects receive reduced speeds, allowing the system to maximize throughput without compromising stability for any given object.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying speed parameter is changed from a uniform system-wide value to individualized parameters stored in a database. Each object type has its optimal speed parameter that balances throughput and stability, and the control system retrieves and applies the appropriate parameter based on object identification.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the entire sorting section is slowed down to handle unstable objects, then the stability of all objects is improved, but the throughput for stable objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different sections of the sorting system to operate at different conveying speeds simultaneously. When an unstable object is detected, only the local section handling that object is slowed down, while other sections continue at high speed, thus maintaining overall system throughput while ensuring stability for unstable objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts the conveying speed of specific sorting sections based on the real-time detection of object properties. This localized dynamic adjustment ensures that stable objects are not held back by unstable ones, maximizing overall throughput while maintaining stability where needed.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the conveying speed is uniformly reduced for all objects, then the stability of all objects is improved, but the throughput for the entire system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes from a uniform conveying speed parameter to individualized parameters stored in a database. Each object type has its own optimal speed parameter determined by its tipping stability characteristics. The control system retrieves the appropriate parameter based on object identification and applies it selectively, allowing the system to operate at high throughput for stable objects while providing reduced speed for unstable objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveying speed is made dynamic and adaptive rather than static and uniform. The system continuously detects object properties and adjusts conveying speeds in real-time based on stored parameter data, enabling optimal performance across the entire system by matching speed to each object's stability requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A sorting system, comprising a central controller, a sorting section with a variably controllable conveying speed, at least two supply sections leading to the feed into the sorting section, and a monitoring device in the feed, wherein the monitoring device is configured and connected to the central controller in such a manner that arriving articles are detected, and a stored speed for controlling the conveying speed of the sorting section is retrieved for the detected article by the central controller and used for controlling the conveying speed, and a corresponding control method.