Adjustable Stacking Platform for Corrugated Sheet Bundles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet stacking devices for corrugated board sheets face challenges in achieving a stable and efficient formation of staggered bundles, as they require strong actuators and sturdy structures for small staggering pitches, limiting the overhanging portion for bundling and stability.

Innovation Solution

A sheet stacker with an adjustable reciprocating stacker platform that moves in a direction parallel to the sheet feeding direction, allowing for customizable staggering pitch based on sheet dimensions and other production parameters, such as grammage and rigidity, to maximize stability and ease of bundling without compromising stack stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a small staggering pitch is used to maintain stack stability, then the stack remains stable, but the overhanging portion of bundles is limited, making bundling more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestack stabilityVSAvoidbundling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies dynamics by making the stacker platform movable instead of fixed. The platform reciprocates in the sheet feeding direction, dynamically adjusting the positioning of subsequent bundles relative to previous ones. This allows the system to achieve both small staggering pitches for stability and sufficient overhanging portions for bundling, resolving the contradiction between stack stability and bundling ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the stacker platform is made movable to achieve staggering, then bundle staggering is enabled, but strong actuators and sturdy structures are required, increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebundle staggering capabilityVSAvoidactuator and structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stacker platform is designed as a movable component that reciprocates along guides instead of being fixed. This dynamic approach enables bundle staggering while using relatively simple actuators (such as cylinders or motors) rather than requiring extremely strong actuators, as the platform only needs to move the platform itself rather than the entire stack structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the stacking function by separating the platform movement from the stack formation. The platform moves independently to create staggering, while the stacking process continues normally. This segmentation allows the use of simpler actuators on the platform rather than requiring complex high-strength actuation systems for the entire stacking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sheet discharge end is reciprocatingly moved to achieve staggering, then correct bundle staggering is obtained, but the device complexity increases due to additional moving components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebundle staggering precisionVSAvoidconveyor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the sheet discharge end reciprocate, the invention makes the stacker platform reciprocate while keeping the sheet discharge end fixed. This reverses which component moves, simplifying the conveyor arrangement by eliminating the need for complex reciprocating mechanisms at the discharge end, while still achieving precise bundle staggering through platform movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3378811B1Sheet stacker and method for forming sheets stacks of staggered sheets bundles
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 GUANGDONG FOSBER INTELLIGENT EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3378811B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3378811B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3378811B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The sheet stacker (1) comprises a sheet conveyor arrangement (3), configured for feeding a plurality of sheets (C) in succession in a sheet feeding direction (F), said sheet conveyor arrangement having a sheet discharge end (17). The sheet stacker further comprises a stacking bay (5), wherein sheets delivered by the sheet conveyor arrangement at the sheet discharge end thereof are formed into stacks (S). The stacking bay (5) comprises a stacker platform (19). The stacker platform (19) supports a stack surface (25) movable in a direction parallel to a feeding direction (F) of the sheets (C) in the stacking bay (5), configured and controlled to perform a reciprocating staggering motion to form staggered bundles (B) of sheets. The pitch (P) of the staggering motion is set as a function of at least one production parameter, such as the length of the sheets in the staggering direction.