Component Transfer Device Sorting Gauge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional component transfer devices experience productivity decreases due to complex configurations and jam occurrences when sorting regular and defective components, requiring additional power sources and halting component transportation.
Innovation Solution
A component transfer device with an integrated transport path and a sorting gauge that uses a guide surface and adjustable gate members to sort components without additional power sources, allowing regular components to pass through one path and defective components to be discharged through another, utilizing gravity and component force for sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a model gate with openable-closable bottom member and actuator is provided to sort defective components, then defective components can be sorted, but the device becomes complicated and productivity decreases due to additional power sources and transportation stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sorting function from a complex actuated gate system and implements it through a simple geometric model gate structure. The model gate uses a fixed passage sectional shape that physically allows only regular components to pass through, eliminating the need for actuators, power sources, and control systems while maintaining reliable defective component sorting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The model gate design enables self-service sorting where the component's own movement through the integration path automatically determines its fate. Regular components that match the model gate's passage shape pass through to the regular transport path, while defective components are naturally diverted to the discharge path without requiring any external actuation or power input.
2Reliability
If a model gate with actuator is used to discharge defective components, then sorting function is achieved, but transportation of components is stopped during jam occurrences, leading to decrease in productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous component transportation by designing a passive model gate system that operates without interruption. The integration path continuously feeds components to the model gate, and the divergent paths continuously transport sorted components away, maintaining uninterrupted flow without the stoppages that would result from active actuation systems detecting and responding to jams.
Solution Approach 2:
The model gate acts as a passive intermediary structure that mediates the separation of regular and defective components through its geometric design. The passage sectional shape serves as the mediating criterion that automatically directs components to appropriate paths without requiring active intervention, power input, or transportation halts.
3Ease of operation
If another power source is provided to discharge defective components, then defective component removal is enabled, but the configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves defective component discharge without any external power source by utilizing the components' own movement through the integration path. The model gate's passage shape and the divergent path geometry work together to automatically direct defective components to the discharge path, making the system self-powered and eliminating complex power source requirements.
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
This configuration simplifies the device, reduces jam likelihood, and enhances productivity by allowing continuous component transportation without additional power sources, improving sorting efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
One of the regular transport path and the discharge path extends to incline in a width direction of the integration path with respect to a transport direction
Data Source
AI summary
A component transfer device includes an integration path through which both of a regular component and a defective component are to be transported, and a sorting gauge that is provided at the downstream end of the integration path and sorts the regular component and the defective component. A discharge path through which the defective component passes extends to incline in the width direction of the integration path. The sorting gauge includes a gauge body, a sorting path extending through the gauge body and into which the regular component is allowed to advance while the defective component is not allowed to advance, and a guide surface that is disposed at the gauge body so as to spread toward the discharge path and that guides the defective component to the discharge path when the defective component comes into contact with the guide surface.