Card Feeding Apparatus Vertical Stacking Selective Table Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card feeding apparatuses struggle with random and selective feeding of different types or kinds of cards while maintaining a manageable size and ensuring a desired total number of cards can be fed, as they either require excessive enlargement or limit the number of cards that can be fed.
Innovation Solution
A card feeding apparatus with a card supplying device, a card holding and feeding device, and a controller that allows for vertical stacking and selective placement of cards on tables, enabling random and selective feeding by controlling the movement of the table set and card conveying device to feed cards in a predetermined direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple card feeding apparatuses are provided for each type/kind of cards to enable random feeding, then the feeding versatility is improved, but the overall size and fabrication cost are excessively enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single card feeding apparatus that can handle multiple types and kinds of cards by providing a card stack for storing different card types and a pushing member that can selectively push any desired card from the stack. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate apparatuses for each card type, thereby maintaining feeding versatility while avoiding excessive size enlargement.
Solution Approach 2:
The card stack is divided into multiple card positions where different types of cards can be stored separately. The pushing member can selectively target and push specific cards from different positions in the stack, enabling random and selective feeding of different card types from a single apparatus without requiring multiple dedicated feeding mechanisms.
2Quantity of substance
If the card stacker size is increased to feed a larger total number of cards, then the card storage capacity is improved, but the apparatus size is excessively enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The card stack is arranged in a vertical stacking configuration rather than horizontal placement. Multiple cards are stacked vertically in a single card stack, allowing the apparatus to store and feed a large total number of cards without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint of the apparatus. The pushing member moves vertically to access different card positions in the stack.
3Volume of stationary object
If a single card feeding apparatus is used for different card types, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the random and selective feeding capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing member is designed to be movable and controllable, capable of positioning itself to push any desired card from any position in the card stack. This dynamic control allows a single apparatus to adaptively feed different card types in random order based on demand, providing full selective feeding capability without requiring multiple fixed apparatuses for each card type.
Data Source
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AI summary
A card feeding apparatus (1) realizes random and selective feeding of cards of different types or kinds. This apparatus includes a card supplying device (10), a card holding and feeding device (20), and a controller (40). The card holding and feeding device includes a table set (22) having tables (162A-162H) on which cards from the card supplying device are held, a table set supporting structure (23) (e.g., a frame), a table set moving device (24) (e.g., a lifting mechanism), and a card conveying device (28) that conveys cards held on the tables. In response to a card feeding signal, the table set supporting structure is temporarily stopped using the table set moving device such that a target table designated from the tables by the said signal is located at the card conveying position, and the card holding and feeding device is activated, thereby feeding a card on the target table by the card conveying device.