Cardboard Box Feeding Device with Segmented Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cardboard box folding machines lack an efficient mechanism for positioning and feeding unfolded cardboard boxes, particularly for large-sized boxes, which can lead to deformation and inefficient folding processes.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device comprising a base unit with a conveyor system, positioning unit, and box pushing unit, including a vacuum suction member, adjustable support group, and sensor-actuated mechanisms to accurately position and feed unfolded cardboard boxes from a standby to a ready-to-fold position, ensuring proper alignment and support for smooth processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional box storing unit is used to hold unfolded cardboard boxes, then the boxes can be stored vertically, but large-sized boxes may be deformed by their own weight
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple supporting members (first supporting member, second supporting member, third supporting member) that are distributed throughout the box storing unit. These segmented supports bear the weight of large boxes at different locations, preventing deformation while maintaining vertical storage capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If boxes are stacked vertically in the box storing unit, then storage space is utilized, but positioning and feeding efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning unit includes stopping members that are positioned in advance to guide and align boxes as they are fed from the vertical stack. The conveyor group is also pre-configured with supporting members that maintain box alignment during the feeding process, enabling efficient one-by-one extraction while preserving vertical storage.
3Device complexity
If a simple conveyor system is used, then device complexity is low, but positioning precision and deformation prevention are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor group incorporates a conveyor belt as an intermediary element that provides continuous support to the boxes during conveyance. Additionally, supporting members act as intermediaries between the box weight and the conveyor structure, distributing loads and preventing deformation while maintaining a relatively simple overall conveyor design.
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 feeding device enables precise positioning and feeding of cardboard boxes, accommodating various sizes, preventing deformation, and ensuring a smooth transition to the folding stage, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the box folding process.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first springs is connected between a respective one of the stopping members and the machine body for biasing the respective one of the stopping members toward the stopping position
Implementation Method 2
The conveyor group is mounted to the top surface of the machine body for conveying the cardboard boxes along the first horizontal direction
Implementation Method 3
The at least one pushing group is co-movably mounted to the mounting seat such that the movement of the mounting seat along the vertical direction moves the at least one pushing group to push the one of the cardboard boxes along the vertical direction from the standby position to a ready-to-fold position
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding device is adapted to be installed to a box folding machine for delivering a plurality of unfolded cardboard boxes, and includes a base unit, a positioning unit and a box pushing unit. The base unit is operable for moving the cardboard boxes to push two stopping members of the positioning unit to rotate from a stopping position, where the cardboard boxes are retained between upstream and downstream ends of the base unit, to a releasing position, where one of the cardboard boxes is moved out of the downstream end to a standby position. The box pushing unit is operable to push the one of the cardboard boxes from the standby position to a ready-to-fold position, where the one of the cardboard boxes is ready to be folded.