Adjustable Nip Conveyor Carriage for Sheet Transfer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems struggle to adjust the distance between the exit nip of a rotary die cut machine and the entrance nip of a transfer conveyor effectively, leading to potential sheet engagement issues due to speed mismatches, which can result in sheet damage or misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with an adjustable entrance nip, featuring a carriage-supported upper deck and lower deck with movable contact elements and pulley systems, allowing for precise adjustment of the nip distance by moving the carriage along a longitudinal path, thereby aligning the nips based on sheet length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between the exit nip of the rotary die cut machine and the entrance nip of the transfer conveyor is fixed, then the conveyor structure is simple, but the sheet may be engaged by multiple nips simultaneously causing damage or misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system employs a movable carriage that can be adjusted along the longitudinal axis to dynamically change the position of the upper conveyor deck relative to the lower deck. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the entrance nip position to be modified according to sheet length requirements, preventing simultaneous engagement by multiple nips while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor deck is divided into separate upper and lower decks that can be independently positioned. The upper conveyor deck is mounted on the movable carriage while the lower conveyor deck remains stationary, allowing independent adjustment of the nip position without affecting the entire conveyor structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If the nip distance is adjusted for different sheet lengths, then sheet damage is prevented, but the adjustment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage mechanism provides a simple yet effective dynamic adjustment system where the upper conveyor deck can be moved along the longitudinal axis to different positions. This allows the nip distance to be adapted to various sheet lengths by simply repositioning the carriage, achieving versatility without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the upper conveyor deck relative to the lower conveyor deck by moving the carriage to different locations along the longitudinal axis. This parameter change directly adjusts the nip distance to match different sheet lengths, providing adaptability through a straightforward mechanical adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor includes a frame, a carriage supported by the frame for sliding movement in a longitudinal direction, a lower conveyor deck supported by the frame and an upper deck. The lower deck has a plurality of contact elements, which may be wheels, for supporting sheets of material moving through the conveyor. The upper deck includes a rear portion having a plurality of longitudinally extending transversely spaced first belts each supported by a plurality of first pulleys and a front portion including a plurality of longitudinally extending transversely spaced second belts each supported a plurality of second pulleys. The plurality of second pulleys includes a first second pulley and a second second pulley that are supported by the carriage for movement with the carriage relative to the frame.