Angled Gripping Device for Flat-Folded Carton Stack Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping devices for flat-folded cartons are inefficient in securely transferring stacks into magazines, often causing instability and misalignment, especially when the stack height exceeds a certain limit.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with adjustable jaws that can displace the stack in a longitudinal direction to hold it at an angle, minimizing the distance between jaws to securely grip and transfer flat-folded cartons, reducing the stack height and preventing displacement within the magazine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the magazine is loaded with a large buffer of flat-folded cartons, then the pick-up process is stabilized, but the flat-folded cartons may not lay flat if the stack is too high
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device uses a dynamic closing action where the jaws move from an open position to a closed position, actively displacing the stack in the longitudinal direction during closure. This dynamic action allows the device to accommodate varying stack heights while maintaining proper alignment, resolving the contradiction between needing a large buffer for stability and keeping the stack height limited for flatness.
2Length of stationary object
If the gripping jaws are positioned to hold the stack at an angle, then the stack height is reduced for better magazine fit, but the gripping device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device merges two functions into a single closing action: gripping the stack between the jaws and displacing the stack in the longitudinal direction. This combined action achieves the angled positioning that reduces stack height without requiring separate mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining the benefit of reduced stack height.
3Reliability
If the distance between gripping jaws is minimized to secure the stack, then the stack is held firmly, but the gripping device may not accommodate all stack heights
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping jaws are designed to move dynamically during the closing action, displacing the stack in the longitudinal direction. This allows the distance between the jaws to be effectively minimized for secure gripping of stacks with varying heights, as the closing action actively adjusts to accommodate different stack heights while maintaining firm grip security.
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 solution ensures stable and secure transfer of flat-folded cartons into magazines, reducing the risk of misalignment and damage, while maintaining a low profile to fit within standard magazine dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
the gripping device is adapted to displace an upper or lower side of the stack of flat-folded cartons in a longitudinal direction parallel to a centre axis of the gripping device
Implementation Method 2
the gripping device is provided with a first open state in which the distance between the gripping jaws is greater than the height of a stack of flat-folded cartons, and a second closed state in which the distance between the gripping jaws is less than the height of the stack of flat-folded cartons
Data Source
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AI summary
Gripping device adapted for gripping a stack of flat-folded cartons, where the gripping device comprises a first gripping jaw and a second gripping jaw arranged adjacent each other and enclosing a holding space, where the gripping device is provided with a first open state in which the distance between the gripping jaws is greater than the height of a flat-folded carton, and where the gripping device is provided with a second closed state in which the distance between the gripping jaws is less than the height of a flat- folded carton, and that the gripping device is adapted to displace one side of the stack of flat-folded cartons in a longitudinal direction, such that each flat- folded carton of the stack of flat-folded cartons will be held in an angled state by the gripping device. The advantage of the invention is that a stack of flat- folded cartons can be held in a secure way, where the height of the stack is reduced when the stack is held.