Adaptive Carrier Unit Gripper Angle Control for Transfer Path Bends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transfer systems for products like diapers and sanitary napkins face limitations due to interference issues when navigating bends, requiring flexible carriers that must position accessories centrally to avoid side interference and using twin grippers, which disrupt processing speed and geometry, especially at bends with varying radii.
Innovation Solution
A transfer system with paired carriers and an angle control device that adjusts the relative position of grippers to maintain a predetermined socket geometry, using sliding coupling elements and turntable assemblies to ensure consistent grip alignment and stability through bends, allowing for adaptable handling of products of different dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible carriers with centrally positioned accessories are used to navigate bends, then side interference is avoided, but process speed is reduced due to weak magnetic attraction and inertial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is made dynamically adjustable through an angle control device that changes its orientation relative to the carrier based on the curvature of the track. This dynamic adaptation allows the gripper to maintain proper engagement with the product while navigating bends, eliminating the need to reduce speed to maintain grip stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of the gripper's orientation relative to the carrier based on the track curvature. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system maintains optimal gripping conditions throughout the bend without compromising process speed or requiring central positioning of accessories.
2Reliability
If twin grippers are used to maintain grip stability through bends, then engagement disruption is avoided, but socket geometry varies with bend radius and product dimension
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using rigid twin grippers, the invention employs a single gripper with dynamic angle control that adapts its orientation based on the track curvature. This dynamic adjustment maintains consistent socket geometry for a given product size while navigating bends, eliminating the geometry variation problem inherent in rigid twin gripper systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping function is segmented into a single adjustable gripper unit rather than a fixed twin gripper system. This segmentation allows the gripping mechanism to adapt its configuration dynamically, maintaining consistent socket geometry while providing the reliability of stable engagement through bends.
3Reliability
If accessories are mounted on top of the carrier to avoid side interference, then track engagement is maintained, but adaptability to products of different dimensions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper's angular orientation is dynamically adjusted based on track curvature rather than being fixed in a central position. This dynamic positioning allows the gripper to adapt to products of different dimensions while maintaining proper track engagement, eliminating the need for accessories to be centrally mounted on the carrier.
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
Enables efficient transfer of products through bends without speed reduction, maintaining consistent socket geometry and preventing interference, allowing for maximum processing speed and adaptability to various product sizes and path curvatures.
Implementation Method 1
typically achieved thanks to weak magnetic attraction—by inertial forces
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier unit for a transfer system having a transfer path includes a first carrier and a second carrier, the first and the second carriers being engageable to the transfer path and configured for negotiating the transfer path, wherein the first carrier is coupled to a first gripper configured for cooperating with a second gripper coupled to the second carrier to define a socket for holding one or more products, the socket having a socket geometry determined by a relative position of the first gripper with respect to the second gripper. Each carrier unit includes an angle control device configured to maintain the socket geometry upon negotiation of the transfer path by the carrier unit.