Adjustable Carrier Tray Unstacking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating stacked elastic shells with outwardly projecting collars are not adaptable to different shell dimensions, requiring precise alignment and complex mechanisms for effective unstacking.
Innovation Solution
A device with first and second carriers that can move between different distances to accommodate shells of varying sizes, allowing the collars to rest on supports at specific distances for separation, and utilizing a suction gripper to remove the terminal shell from the stack, with force sensors for adaptive control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-distance carriers are used to support shell collars, then separation can be achieved, but the device cannot accommodate shells of different dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The carriers are made movable along guide rails, allowing their position to be dynamically adjusted. The distance between carriers can be changed to accommodate different shell dimensions, replacing fixed-position carriers with adjustable ones. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to handle various shell sizes without requiring complex precision alignment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The key parameter being changed is the distance between carriers, which is adjusted according to the shell dimensions. By varying this parameter, the device adapts to different shell sizes. The movable carriers allow continuous adjustment of the support position, transforming a fixed-parameter system into a variable-parameter system that can accommodate manufacturing deviations and different dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If precise alignment mechanisms are implemented to handle varying shell dimensions, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex precision alignment mechanisms, the invention employs simple movable carriers that can be easily adjusted along guide rails. This dynamic adjustment is achieved through straightforward mechanical means rather than complex alignment systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability to manufacturing deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carriers can be adjusted to accommodate different shell positions without requiring complex external alignment mechanisms. The system allows for easy manual or automated adjustment of carrier positions, enabling the device to self-adapt to varying shell dimensions through simple repositioning rather than complex alignment procedures.
3Productivity
If carriers are positioned close together to support collars, then separation is effective, but shells of different sizes cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The carriers are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing the distance between them to be adjusted. This enables the system to maintain the close positioning needed for effective separation while adapting to different shell sizes. The guide rails facilitate this dynamic repositioning, ensuring that carriers can be placed at optimal distances for both separation effectiveness and size accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable carrier system serves multiple functions: it maintains close positioning for effective separation when needed, and can be spaced further apart to accommodate larger shells. This universal design allows the same carrier mechanism to handle both small and large shells effectively, combining separation effectiveness with size adaptability in a single system.
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 unstacking of shells of different dimensions without requiring precise alignment, ensuring reliable separation and handling of shells through controlled movement and suction, accommodating manufacturing deviations and varying shell dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
a suction gripper (11) is moved into a position against the terminal shell (1e) to hold the terminal shell (1e)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for unstacking trays, comprising first supports (4, 5) and second supports (7, 8) which can be moved towards each other in parallel planes (6, 9) to a smaller distance and away from each other to a larger distance. The device is characterized in that the second supports are configured to move towards a smaller distance by compressing the collar of a tray. Preferably, this tray is the penultimate tray adjacent to the final tray. The first supports are arranged at their smaller distance from each other in such a way that they support the collar of the final tray, or in such a way that the collar of the final tray rests on the first supports.