Articulated Panel Loader for Mixed Face Orientation Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for loading flat elements, such as panels or sheets, onto machining centers are limited in their ability to handle panels with varying orientations of the 'good' face, requiring manual rearrangement and increased operator risk and effort.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a supporting structure and at least one lifting arm with pick-up means, allowing the device to autonomously pick up panels from stacks with mixed orientations and position them correctly on a machine tool's work table, minimizing manual operations and ensuring safe handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If panels are supplied in stacks with mixed orientations of the good face, then the device can handle diverse panel orientations directly, but the prior art loading device cannot operate without manual rearrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting arm incorporates articulated elements that enable the pick-up means to rotate relative to a horizontal axis, allowing dynamic adjustment of the panel orientation during the loading process. This rotational capability enables the device to accommodate panels with good faces in any orientation (upward, downward, or sideways) and automatically position them correctly on the work table, eliminating the need for static configuration or manual rearrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the orientation parameter of the panel during the loading operation. The lifting arm can rotate the panel through 180 degrees or other angles to transform the panel's orientation from its initial state in the stack to the required state on the work table, allowing the same pick-up means to handle panels regardless of their initial orientation.
2Ease of operation
If panels are handled manually by operators, then panel orientation can be adjusted, but operator physical exertion and injury risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The loading device performs the orientation adjustment function autonomously through its articulated lifting arm and rotation mechanism. The device serves itself by automatically detecting and correcting panel orientations without requiring human intervention, thereby eliminating the physical exertion and injury risk associated with manual handling while maintaining the capability to handle mixed orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system (human operators physically moving and orienting panels) with an automated mechanical system (articulated lifting arm with rotation capability). This substitution eliminates the harmful factors associated with manual handling while achieving the same functional result of proper panel orientation.
3Extent of automation
If panels are picked up from stacks with mixed orientations, then the loading process can be automated completely, but the pick-up means must accommodate multiple orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up means is designed with universal capability to handle panels in any orientation. The articulated elements and rotation mechanism allow the same pick-up means to perform multiple functions: picking up panels with good faces upward, downward, or sideways, and automatically orienting them correctly. This multi-functionality achieves complete automation without requiring separate handling mechanisms for each orientation type.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a device for loading flat elements onto a work table (P) of a machine tool, the device comprising a supporting structure (12, 112) defining a supporting surface (14, 114) and at least one lifting arm (22, 122) provided with pick-up means (24, 124) adapted to pick up a panel (26) from a stack (28) of panels, wherein said lifting arm (22, 122) is formed by articulated elements and wherein said pick-up means (24, 124) are configured to rotate the panel so that said the lifting arm can, in a first release position, position said panel with the first face (A) facing the supporting surface (14) or, in a second release position, position said panel with said first face (A) facing in the opposite direction, i.e., facing outward.