Vibration Trough Bulb Separation for Single-File Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for handling and transporting plant-bulbs in bulk supply face challenges in accurately separating and spacing them for efficient automated processing, particularly in maintaining orientation and reducing damage during handling and image recognition.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a bulk-conveyor, single-file vibration-trough, and single-file conveyor, where the vibration-trough aligns bulbs in a single-file using differential speeds and vibrations, ensuring consistent spacing and orientation for efficient handling and automated analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plant-bulbs are supplied in bulk mass on a conveyor, then the quantity of bulbs processed is high, but the precision of spacing and orientation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the bulk supply of plant-bulbs into individual units using a vibration-trough that separates them into a single-file stream. This segmentation allows each bulb to be processed individually with precise spacing and orientation control, resolving the contradiction between handling bulk quantities and achieving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A vibration-trough is used to actively separate and space plant-bulbs from bulk supply into a controlled single-file stream. The mechanical vibration enables precise positioning and orientation of each bulb as it transitions from bulk mass to individual processing, maintaining both productivity and precision.
2Quantity of substance
If plant-bulbs are provided in bulk, then the supply volume is high, but the accuracy of image recognition and identification is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk supply is segmented into a single-file stream where each bulb is individually positioned and spaced. This segmentation provides clear visual separation for camera imaging systems, enabling accurate identification and orientation detection of each bulb without interference from neighboring bulbs.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration-trough performs preliminary spacing and orientation of bulbs before they reach the imaging and picking stations. This preliminary action ensures that bulbs are properly positioned and oriented for optimal image recognition, improving measurement precision while maintaining high supply volume.
3Productivity
If plant-bulbs are handled in bulk, then the handling capacity is high, but the risk of damage to bulbs is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration-trough uses controlled mechanical vibration to gently guide and space bulbs through the system, reducing impact and mechanical stress compared to manual handling or aggressive mechanical separation methods. This maintains high handling capacity while minimizing damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
Bulbs are preliminarily spaced and oriented in a controlled single-file stream before reaching picking and planting stations. This preliminary arrangement allows picking machinery to operate with greater freedom and precision, reducing the risk of damaging bulbs during the actual picking operation.
4Extent of automation
If picking machinery operates on bulk-supplied bulbs, then the automation level is high, but the complexity of the system is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex task of picking from bulk supply into simpler stages: first separating bulbs into a single-file stream using vibration, then using picking machinery on the simplified single-file input. This segmentation reduces the complexity requirements of the automated picking system while maintaining high automation levels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high precision and efficiency in spacing and orienting plant-bulbs, reducing damage and enabling effective automated quality control and planting processes.
Implementation Method 1
a single-file vibration-trough downstream of the bulk-conveyor, arranged to receive plant-bulbs from the bulk-conveyor and to further convey received plant-bulbs in single-file
Data Source
AI summary
System (1) for separating bulk-supplied plant-bulbs into a single-file stream of spaced plant-bulbs and a method for transporting and spacing objects. The system comprises a bulk-conveyor (2) for conveying a plurality of plant-bulbs as a bulk mass; a single-file vibration-trough (3) downstream of the bulk-conveyor, arranged to receive plant-bulbs from the bulk-conveyor and to further convey received plant-bulbs in single-file; a single-file conveyor (4) downstream of the single-file vibration-trough, arranged to receive plant-bulbs from the vibration-trough; wherein the bulk-conveyor has a discharge edge (21) and the single-file vibration-trough is longitudinally aligned substantially parallel to the discharge edge; wherein the vibration-trough is configured to progress the plant-bulbs at a first speed, wherein the single-file conveyor is configured to progress the plant-bulbs at a second speed, and wherein the second speed is higher than the first speed whereby during use plant-bulbs transferring from the vibration-trough to the single-file conveyor are spaced on the single-file conveyor.