Alternating Strap Pulling Mechanism for Continuous Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional strap pulling devices have low efficiency due to the sequential operation of clamping and cutting mechanisms, resulting in delayed pulling and cutting processes.

Innovation Solution

The device employs two strap pulling mechanisms that alternately clamp and pull the strap upstream of the cutting position, allowing simultaneous clamping and cutting without waiting for the other mechanism to complete its cycle, along with a strap holding mechanism to prevent falling and a transfer mechanism for efficient segment transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a conventional strap pulling device uses a single strap pulling mechanism that sequentially clamps and pulls the strap waiting for the cutter mechanism to complete cutting, then the device structure is simple, but the pulling efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulling efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single strap pulling mechanism is segmented into two independent strap pulling mechanisms (first and second). Each mechanism can independently clamp and pull straps, allowing parallel operation. The cutter mechanism is also segmented to work independently with each pulling mechanism, enabling simultaneous cutting operations that dramatically improve pulling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two strap pulling mechanisms are configured to operate alternately and continuously. While one mechanism is pulling a strap to the transfer position, the other mechanism is clamping the next strap at the pulling position. This continuous alternation eliminates idle waiting time and maintains constant productive action, resolving the efficiency problem caused by sequential operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Manufacturing precision

If the cutter mechanism waits for the strap clamping mechanism to clamp the strap before cutting, then the cutting precision is ensured, but the waiting time increases and reduces overall efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidwaiting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The strap pulling mechanisms perform preliminary clamping actions in advance at the pulling position, upstream of the cutting position. By the time the cutter mechanism needs to cut, the strap is already firmly clamped by one of the pulling mechanisms, eliminating the need for the cutter to wait for clamping. This preliminary positioning ensures both precision and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping function is segmented and distributed to two separate strap pulling mechanisms positioned at different locations (pulling position and transfer position). This segmentation allows the clamping action to occur independently and simultaneously with cutting, rather than sequentially, thereby reducing waiting time while maintaining precision through proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the strap pulling mechanism pulls the strap after cutting is completed, then the cutting accuracy is maintained, but the pulling speed is reduced due to sequential operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidpulling speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional sequence is inverted: instead of waiting for cutting to complete before pulling, the strap pulling mechanisms are positioned and configured to clamp and begin pulling the strap upstream of the cutting position. The first pulling mechanism clamps at the pulling position, and the second pulls to the transfer position, allowing these actions to occur simultaneously with or even before the cutting action is completed, thereby increasing speed without sacrificing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-dimensional sequential process to a multi-dimensional parallel process. The two strap pulling mechanisms operate at different positions (upstream pulling position and downstream transfer position) simultaneously, creating a spatial dimension that allows clamping, pulling, and cutting to occur in parallel rather than in sequence, thus increasing speed while maintaining precision through proper spatial arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11993475B2Strap pulling device and pulling method

Publication Date: 2024.05.28 WUXI AUTOWELL TECH

AI summary

The disclosure provides a strap pulling device, the strap pulling device comprises a cutter mechanism, a first strap pulling mechanism and a second strap pulling mechanism. The first strap pulling mechanism and the second strap pulling mechanism are configured to alternately clamp a strap at a pulling position located upstream of a cutting position and pull the strap to a transfer position located downstream the cutting position. When the first strap pulling mechanism pulls the clamped strap to the transfer position, the second strap pulling mechanism clamps the strap at the pulling position, the cutter mechanism cuts the strap at the cutting position to acquire a strap segment. When the second strap pulling mechanism pulls the clamped strap to the transfer position, the first strap pulling mechanism clamps the strap at the pulling position, the cutter mechanism cuts the strap at the cutting position to acquire a strap segment.