Adjustable Feeding Tray Structure for Fragile Porous Filter Rods
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Porous masses used in segmented filters for smoking devices are fragile and prone to damage during handling and shipping, requiring specialized handling and container designs to accommodate their weight and fragility, which is not adequately addressed by conventional filter rod handling systems.
Innovation Solution
Modified filter rod feeding trays and shipping containers with adjustable compartments and structural supports to securely hold and transport porous masses, featuring angled sidewalls, adjustable shelves, and reinforced materials to withstand the weight and fragility of the porous masses, ensuring compatibility with combining machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filter rod handling systems are used, then the handling process is simple and efficient, but porous masses are damaged due to their fragility and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding tray is divided into multiple compartments that can be independently adjusted to accommodate different sizes and shapes of porous mass containers. This segmentation allows customized support for each container, reducing damage during handling while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding tray incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can be modified based on the specific requirements of different porous mass containers. This dynamic adaptability enables the same handling system to safely accommodate various container types without requiring multiple specialized systems.
2Strength
If shipping containers with different strength parameters are used, then porous masses are protected during shipping, but the containers are more difficult to handle and load
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding tray design serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for heavy porous mass containers during shipping, facilitates easy loading through its configuration, and enables precise positioning in the combining machine. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between strength and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding tray acts as an intermediary device between the shipping container and the combining machine. It receives the container, provides necessary support and protection during transfer, and interfaces with the machine's feeder system, thereby simplifying the overall handling process while maintaining container strength requirements.
3Productivity
If mechanical arms are used for loading, then the loading process is automated and efficient, but the porous masses are damaged due to their fragile nature
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding tray incorporates cushioning and shock-absorbing features in its design, providing protective support for porous masses before they are subjected to handling forces. This beforehand cushioning allows mechanical arms to operate efficiently while the tray absorbs shocks and prevents direct impact damage to the fragile porous masses.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding tray serves as a protective intermediary between the mechanical arm and the porous mass container. It interfaces with the mechanical arm for automated handling while simultaneously providing structural support and shock absorption to protect the porous masses, thereby enabling both automation and protection.
4Reliability
If feeding trays are modified with adjustable compartments, then porous masses are securely held, but the trays are more complex and time-consuming to adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding tray features dynamically adjustable compartments that can be quickly reconfigured using simple mechanisms. This dynamic design allows operators to adapt the tray configuration to different container sizes and shapes efficiently, maintaining secure containment while minimizing adjustment time through straightforward, tool-free or minimal-tool modification capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Modified feeding trays for use in the production of segmented filters may be advantageous when handling filter rods that are porous masses. A modified feeding tray may include a rectangular bottom; opposing first and second sidewalls coupled to corresponding first and second edges of the rectangular bottom; a third sidewall coupled to a third edge of the rectangular bottom and extending between the first and second sidewalls; and a shelf extending between the first and second sidewalls at an intermediate location along a length of each of the first and second sidewalls and thereby defining an open compartment formed by the first and second sidewalls, the shelf, and the bottom, and a closed compartment defined by the first, second, and third sidewalls, the shelf, and the bottom. In some instances, the shelf may be repositionable within the modified feeding tray