Conveying Device Flow Path Restrictor for Suction Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyance performance is poor when conveying objects smaller than the supporter in existing conveying devices with a configuration of multiple suction ports open to a common negative pressure space, as the suction capability is uneven, leading to insufficient attraction force for smaller objects.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flow path restrictor with ventilation holes of smaller opening areas than the suction ports, positioned between the suction ports and the supporter's back surface, to equalize suction capability and reduce flow path resistance, along with a blower to manage air flow and prevent object roll-up, while maintaining a negative pressure state for effective object attraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple suction ports are used to create negative pressure for conveying objects, then conveyance capability is improved, but suction capability becomes uneven when objects are smaller than the supporter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow path restrictor with varying opening areas at different positions between suction ports. The restrictor creates localized flow resistance adjustments, ensuring that air flow and suction capability are evenly distributed across all suction ports regardless of object size. This local quality modification resolves the uneven suction capability issue while maintaining high conveyance capability.
2Force
If suction ports are positioned away from the supporter back surface, then object attraction is improved, but flow path resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the flow path restrictor, specifically the opening area of holes at different positions. By carefully selecting and varying the opening areas, the system achieves a balance where sufficient negative pressure is generated for strong object attraction while flow path resistance is kept at acceptable levels. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between attraction force and flow resistance.
3Device complexity
If a common negative pressure space is used for multiple suction ports, then device complexity is reduced, but suction capability equalization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path restrictor acts as an intermediary element between the common negative pressure space and individual suction ports. It mediates the air flow distribution, ensuring equal suction capability across all ports while maintaining the simplicity of a common pressure space design. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by enabling suction equalization without increasing system complexity.
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
Enhances conveyance performance by maintaining a sufficient attraction force for smaller objects and reducing roll-up issues, ensuring stable and efficient conveyance even when objects are smaller than the supporter, with improved suction capability balance and layout flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure generator including a suction unit to suck the inside of the space at a back surface side of the supporter through a plurality of suction ports to create a negative pressure state in the space and attract the conveyed object onto the front surface of the supporter
Implementation Method 2
a blower to blow air toward the front surface of the supporter
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A conveying device (300) includes a supporter (325, 327), a blower (311), a negative pressure generator (330, 330', 330"), and a divider (347). The supporter supports a conveyed object and has an air-permeable structure. The blower blows air toward a front surface of the supporter. The negative pressure generator creates a negative pressure state in a space at a back surface side of the supporter. The negative pressure generator includes a suction unit (350, 350', 351) to suck air in the space through suction ports (345a to 345d). The suction ports are disposed away from and opposed to a back surface of the supporter. The divider is disposed away from the back surface of the supporter between the suction ports and the back surface of the supporter in the space. The divider has a plurality of ventilation holes (347a) smaller in opening area than each suction port.