Plastic Card Separation System with Grooved Feeder Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic card separation systems require manual adjustment, which is complex and unsatisfactory due to varying card thicknesses, leading to incomplete separation.
Innovation Solution
A separation system with a feeder roller having a groove and a movable assembly with a base that adjusts vertically between contact and spaced positions, allowing the lower card to be separated without manual adjustments, and an inclined support for the second end of the card to reduce friction and facilitate separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment means are installed in known separation systems, then the system can be adapted to different card thicknesses, but the system becomes complex and the adjustment is often incomplete or unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The separation system automatically adapts to different card thicknesses without requiring manual adjustment. The movable assembly with base and roller naturally adjusts its position based on the card thickness, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring human intervention for adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The base of the movable assembly is made movable vertically between contact and spaced positions, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different card thicknesses. This dynamic structure eliminates the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms while maintaining versatility.
2Device complexity
If the base is fixed in a separated position, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot effectively separate cards of different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed to be movable vertically between contact and spaced positions, allowing the system to adapt to different card thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple structure. This dynamic capability ensures reliable separation across various card thicknesses without requiring complex mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the groove opening and depth are large, then the first end of the lower card can easily descend into the groove, but other cards may also be picked up instead of only the lower card
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is positioned and dimensioned specifically at the location where only the lower card's first end can reach into it. The local geometry of the groove, combined with the vertical positioning of the movable assembly, ensures that only the lower card is picked up while maintaining easy loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove opening and depth are designed to be sufficient for the lower card to descend into it, but not excessive enough to allow other cards to be picked up. This partial action approach ensures precise card selection while maintaining operational ease.
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
Ensures effective separation of plastic cards regardless of thickness, minimizing manual intervention and optimizing the separation process by reducing friction and preventing multiple cards from being picked up.
Implementation Method 1
the or each groove having an opening and a depth sufficient to allow the first end of the lower plastic card to descend into said groove
Implementation Method 2
a return means provided to force said movable assembly into the contact position
Implementation Method 3
The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (150) for separating a lower plastic card (C0), comprising: a loading wheel (152), on which a first end (C1) of the lower plastic card (C0) lies, and which has a notch (304) extending parallel to the axis of said loading wheel (152); a mobile assembly (154) arranged above the loading wheel (152) and including a base (158) and a freely rotatable loading roller (159), the base (158) being vertically mobile between a contact position and a retracted position; and a return means (156) urging the mobile assembly (154) into the contact position, the base (158) having an upstream wall (320) which is upstream from the loading roller (159), and having a lower end located, in the contact position, spaced apart from the loading wheel (152) by a distance that is shorter than the thickness of the lower plastic card (C0), while the notch (304) has an opening and a depth sufficient for enabling the first end (C1) of the lower plastic card (C0) to be inserted into the notch (304) such that the first end (C1) thereof passes under the lower end of the upstream wall (302).