Air Cushion Guide Surface for Damage-Free Workpiece Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional guide devices for workpieces, especially in woodworking machines, often require additional elements like infeed rollers at the machine infeed, which can cause damage during transverse displacement, and fail to facilitate smooth transfer from air cushion tables to processing machines without additional support.

Innovation Solution

A guide device with a support surface featuring air outlets creating an air cushion and an extension portion that can be arranged adjacent to the conveying means end portion, allowing direct transfer without additional elements, enabling smooth movement and transverse displacement without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional elements like infeed rollers are provided at the machine infeed, then the workpiece can be supported during transfer, but the workpiece may catch on these elements during transverse displacement and the workpiece surface may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece transfer supportVSAvoidworkpiece surface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the harmful additional elements (infeed rollers) from the system by extending the air cushion support surface to cover the entire transfer area, including where the conveying means end portion is located. This extraction eliminates the source of workpiece damage while maintaining support functionality through the air cushion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air cushion acts as an intermediary between the workpiece and the conveying means, providing support during transfer without direct mechanical contact. The extension portion of the air cushion creates a protective interface that allows the workpiece to be supported and transferred smoothly without catching on mechanical elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional air cushion tables are used without extension, then the workpiece can be moved smoothly on the air cushion, but additional support elements are required to facilitate transfer to the conveying means

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece movement smoothnessVSAvoidnumber of additional elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the air cushion support function with the transfer support function by extending the air cushion support surface to cover the entire area where workpiece transfer occurs, including the region adjacent to the conveying means end portion. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate additional support elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The extended air cushion support surface performs multiple functions: it supports the workpiece during feeding, enables smooth transverse displacement, and facilitates transfer to the conveying means all without requiring additional specialized elements. The air cushion becomes a universal support mechanism for all workpiece handling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the support surface extends adjacent to the conveying means end portion, then the workpiece can be transferred directly without additional elements, but the support surface structure becomes more extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of additional elementsVSAvoidsupport surface extension

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses pneumatic technology (air cushion) to extend the support function without adding mechanical structural elements. Instead of extending solid mechanical supports, the air cushion provides support through a gas medium, achieving extension with minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

The guide device ensures safe and stable transfer of workpieces from the air cushion to the processing machine's conveying means, eliminating the need for additional support elements and preventing damage during transverse movements, suitable for both manual and automated feeding.

Implementation Method 1

the air outlets being adapted to create an air cushion between the support surface and the workpiece using exiting air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir cushion: Air Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS20240307983A1Guide device on a machine inlet or machine outlet, and processing machine

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 HOMAG GMBH

AI summary

A guide device is provided for guiding a workpiece into or out of a processing machine. The processing machine can have a conveying means for conveying the workpiece in a feed direction (D). Further, the processing machine can have a support surface with air outlets that are adapted to create an air cushion between the support surface and the workpiece using exiting air. The support surface can be arranged at a machine infeed or a machine outfeed of the processing machine and have an extension portion, which can be arranged adjacent to a conveying means end portion of the conveying means along the feed direction (D).