Ceramic Article Transfer Using Vertical Lifting Tines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Horizontal grippers in the ceramic processing industry require significant free space to operate effectively, which is a limitation when transferring articles that are closely arranged, as direct pressure on ceramic tiles can cause breakage and accessing lateral portions is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a support system with projections and recesses that allows articles to be arranged vertically or horizontally, enabling the use of a moving device with tines to lift and transfer articles without interfering with adjacent pieces, reducing the risk of damage and allowing for efficient transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If horizontal grippers are used to transfer ceramic articles, then the articles can be clamped and moved, but significant free space is required around the articles for the gripper to operate and withdraw
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using horizontal grippers that clamp from the sides, the invention uses vertical lifting tines that insert from below and lift the articles upward. This inversion of the gripping direction eliminates the need for lateral clearance, allowing operation in confined spaces where articles are closely arranged.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer mechanism transitions from horizontal clamping to vertical lifting. By changing the dimension of the gripping action from lateral to vertical, the system accesses a different spatial dimension that does not conflict with the lateral arrangement of articles, thus solving the space constraint problem.
2Productivity
If horizontal grippers clamp ceramic articles laterally, then the articles can be transferred, but direct pressure on the faces or edges can cause breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting tines act as intermediaries that insert into recesses on the articles' faces. This intermediary mechanism distributes the lifting force through the recess structure rather than applying direct concentrated pressure, reducing the risk of breakage while enabling effective transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure distribution parameters by using multiple tines that contact different points on the article through recesses. This distributes the force over a larger area and through structurally sound points, transforming the stress pattern from harmful concentrated pressure to safe distributed support.
3Area of stationary object
If articles are arranged closely or in contact with one another, then space is utilized efficiently, but horizontal grippers cannot access lateral portions for clamping
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the gripping approach from horizontal lateral clamping to vertical lifting from below, the system can access articles even when they are tightly packed laterally. The vertical insertion path from underneath does not require lateral clearance, enabling operation in densely arranged configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accesses articles through the vertical dimension by inserting tines from below, rather than requiring lateral access. This dimensional shift allows the transfer mechanism to operate effectively when articles are arranged in space-efficient close or contact configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system (1) for transferring articles (2) of the ceramic processing industry; the method entails the use of a support (5) comprising a base portion (6) and a plurality of projections (7), which protrude from the base portion (7) and delimit respective recesses (10); a group (G) of articles (2) is arranged on the support (5); a holding device (16), which comprises at least two tines (17) and at least one countering element (18), inserts at least part of the tines (17) in corresponding recesses (10) and clamps at least an article (2) of the cited group (G) between the countering element (18) and the tines (17); at this point, the holding device (16) lifts the article (2) in order to move it away from the group (G) and make it more accessible.