Parallel Conveyor Belt Ejection Mechanism for Printing Material Diversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ejection devices for folding box blanks or boxes have high response times and imprecise movement reproducibility, particularly when driven by pneumatic cylinders, leading to unreliable removal of faulty materials.

Innovation Solution

An ejection device using pairs of parallel conveyor belts with deflection elements connected to a shaft driven by an actuator, such as a servomotor, and an eccentric disc system, combined with a guide plate and a driven ejector roller, ensures precise diversion and removal of printing materials from the conveyor flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If pneumatic cylinders are used to drive ejection elements, then the ejection device can be simple in structure, but the response time becomes high and movement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection device structureVSAvoidejection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pneumatic cylinders with a mechanically driven ejection element that is directly coupled to the conveyor belt system. The ejection element is driven by the conveyor belt itself through a cam mechanism or direct mechanical coupling, eliminating the need for separate pneumatic actuation systems. This substitution reduces response time and improves precision while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If high-speed ejection is implemented to improve productivity, then material removal speed increases, but the risk of material jams increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection speedVSAvoidmaterial jams
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ejection element is designed with dynamic characteristics that match the conveyor belt motion. The ejection timing and force are dynamically adjusted based on the position and speed of the conveyed material, ensuring smooth ejection without sudden impacts that could cause jams. The mechanical coupling allows for continuous, controlled motion rather than abrupt pneumatic actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If deflection elements are added to divert materials, then ejection direction control improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection direction controlVSAvoidconveyor system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt system is designed to perform multiple functions: material transport, material positioning, and material ejection. The same conveyor belt that transports the material also serves as the actuating force for ejection through its mechanical coupling with the ejection element. This eliminates the need for separate deflection elements and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining precise directional control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution enables reliable and efficient ejection of printing materials by ensuring precise control over the conveyor belts and enhanced frictional engagement, reducing material jams and improving the speed and accuracy of the ejection process.

Implementation Method 1

enhanced frictional engagement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2093175B1Device for discharging printed materials, and folding box glueing machine with such a device
Publication Date: 2015.08.26 MASTERWORK GROUP CO LTD
  • EP2093175B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2093175B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2093175B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

The device (200) has an upper conveyor belt and a lower conveyor belt, which are arranged parallel to each other. An ejector lever (7) downwardly moves the upper and lower conveyor belts relative to a horizontal conveying plane (E) such that printed substrates are discharged from its horizontal transportation direction (T) into a discharging direction (A) by the moved belts. The ejector lever is indirectly or directly connected with a six-edged shaft, which is driven by an actuator e.g. servomotor.