Book Stacking Device Tilting Deposit Arm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing book stacking methods often result in damage to books due to the need to push them over one another during the stacking process.

Innovation Solution

A stacking device and method that tilts books onto a stacking table using a depositing arm, allowing them to be placed on top of each other without direct contact, reducing the likelihood of damage, and includes features like a height sensor and conveyor belt for efficient stacking and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If books are pushed over one another during stacking, then the stacking process is simple and fast, but the books are easily damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking speedVSAvoidbook damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A depositing arm is introduced as an intermediary component between the book feed mechanism and the stack. The depositing arm receives books standing on their side edge and tilts them onto the stack, avoiding direct pushing contact between books and reducing surface damage while maintaining efficient stacking operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of pushing books horizontally over the stack surface, the system inverts the approach by tilting books from a vertical standing position onto the stack. This reverse motion pattern places books edge-first onto the stack, minimizing contact with book surfaces and eliminating the harmful pushing action

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If books are placed one by one with tilting movement, then book damage is reduced, but the stacking process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebook damageVSAvoidstacking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The depositing arm is divided into functionally independent segments: a book receiving portion that holds books standing on their side edge, and a tilting mechanism that rotates the book onto the stack. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall mechanism manageable and maintainable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If stacking table height is adjusted for each book, then consistent stacking height is achieved, but the process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestack height consistencyVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The stacking table height is adjusted in advance before books are deposited onto it. By pre-positioning the table at the correct height, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming height adjustments during the stacking process, while still achieving consistent stack heights through the height sensor's feedback control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively minimizes book damage during stacking by avoiding direct contact and ensuring consistent stacking heights, enabling the efficient formation and transportation of book stacks.

Implementation Method 1

the height sensor has a light barrier which is arranged such that when the height of the top edge of the stack is not equal to the height of the top edge of the stacking table or the stack on which the object has been placed before this object has been placed, the photocell is broken

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight barrier detection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

the stacking table has a support surface for the stack, which is formed by a conveyor belt in order to move the stack out of the stacking device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2189401B1Stacking device for stacking objects
Publication Date: 2011.10.19 CEWE COLOR AG & CO
  • EP2189401B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2189401B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2189401B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The stacking unit (2) has a stacking table (3) supports a pile (4) of objects. An object placing unit (5) places standing objects from stacking table to a side edge (6). An object moving unit (7) is provided for moving the objects to the object placing unit. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a method for pilling objects, particularly books; and (2) a computer program for with program code for the execution of a stacking method.