Adjustable Conveyor Retaining Unit for Short Wood Workpieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wood-cutting machines are limited in versatility and precision due to fixed movement assemblies and conveyor belts that can cause undesired movements in semi-finished products, leading to lower quality processing and a minimum length constraint for processed products.
Innovation Solution
A movement unit with movable conveyor belts and retaining assemblies, featuring high friction coefficients, independent motor control, and adjustable retaining elements to accommodate various product sizes and shapes, ensuring stable and precise movement along a processing path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed movement assemblies are used at a fixed distance, then the machine structure is simple and stable, but the minimum length of processable semi-finished products is constrained and versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movement assemblies are made movable relative to each other along the processing path, allowing the distance between them to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the machine to process semi-finished products of various lengths by adapting the assembly spacing, thereby improving versatility without requiring multiple fixed machine configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The movement unit is designed to handle multiple types of semi-finished products with different dimensions by allowing the movement assemblies to be repositioned. This single machine configuration can serve multiple processing needs that would traditionally require different machine setups, enhancing universal applicability
2Productivity
If conveyor belts or tracks are used to move semi-finished products, then continuous movement along the processing path is enabled, but intense stresses cause surface constraint failure leading to undesired movements and lower processing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical conveyor belt or track system with a robotic arm that uses grippers to hold and move the semi-finished products. This substitution eliminates the surface constraint failure issues inherent in belt-based systems, as the gripper-based mechanical grasp provides more reliable and controllable holding force throughout the processing path
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm with grippers acts as an intermediary between the movement assemblies and the semi-finished products. This intermediary provides precise control over product positioning and movement, ensuring that products are held securely without sliding or undesired movements while maintaining continuous processing capability
3Reliability
If lateral and upper retaining elements are used to engage semi-finished products, then product retention during processing is improved, but the minimum distance between movement assemblies must be greater than maximum tool unit dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining elements are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt their position and configuration based on the specific product being processed. This dynamic adjustment enables effective retention of products even when the distance between movement assemblies is reduced, as the retainers can be repositioned to maintain proper engagement without requiring excessive spacing
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
This solution enhances processing flexibility and precision, allowing for a wider range of product sizes and shorter final product lengths while reducing errors from undesired movements, thereby improving the quality and variety of processing outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a first and a second conveyor belt configured to supportingly receive said semi-finished product and to move it along said processing path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A movement unit (1) for semi-finished products is described, comprising a first and a second movement and retaining assembly (2a, 2b) configured to move and retain the semi-finished product along a processing path (L), which respectively define an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the processing path (L). The first and the second movement and retaining assembly (2a, 2b) are movable towards and away from each other along the processing path (L), each of them being provided with a respective main motor apparatus (8), and comprise a respective conveyor belt (3a, 3b) for moving the semi-finished product along the processing path, and a secondary motor apparatus for moving the conveyor belt (3a, 3b). A method for processing semi-finished products is also described, comprising the steps of: placing a semi-finished product in an inlet portion of a processing path (L) passing through a working space, defined by a first movement and retaining assembly (2a) of the machine (10); moving and/or retaining said semi-finished product along said processing path (L) in the working space; carrying out a process on the semi-finished product in the working space during the moving and/or retaining step; releasing the semi-finished product from an outlet portion of the processing path (L) defined by a second movement and retaining assembly (2b) of the machine (10); the step of moving and/or retaining the semi-finished product comprising the substeps of moving said first movement and retaining assembly (2a) and/or said second movement and retaining assembly (2b) towards or away from each other; and/or moving the semi-finished product by means of a respective first conveyor belt (3a) of the first movement and retaining assembly (2a) and/or a respective second conveyor belt (3b) of the second movement and retaining assembly (2b).