Dual-Arm Flipping Apparatus Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flipping systems for articles often limit throughput due to the need to complete a flipping operation before starting another, and require significant reconfiguration when articles are not flipped, which can lead to increased risk of damage during high-speed movements.
Innovation Solution
A flipping apparatus with two arms that rotate at different speeds to minimize inertial forces on articles, allowing for continuous operation and integration into systems without major reconfigurations, enabling high-throughput processing while reducing the risk of article damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If articles are flipped at high speed to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but the risk of article damage increases due to high inertial forces
Solution Approach 1:
The flipping arm performs periodic motion with alternating phases: acceleration phase to build speed, constant speed phase for the critical flipping operation, and deceleration phase to reduce speed. This periodic action pattern allows the system to achieve high throughput while minimizing inertial forces during the actual flip by maintaining constant speed during the flipping operation rather than accelerating or decelerating at that moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the speed of the flipping arm throughout the operation cycle. The speed is increased during non-critical phases (pick-up and placement) and maintained at optimal constant levels during the critical flipping phase. This dynamic speed control allows the system to optimize both throughput and article safety by matching speed levels to the specific phase requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a hand-over flipping system is used to flip articles, then the flipping operation can be achieved, but the input position becomes different from the output position, requiring system reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The flipping arm is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both flipping operations and simple transfer operations. When flipping is not required, the same arm performs transfer operations between positions. This universality eliminates the need for separate flipping and transfer mechanisms, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements without major reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple specialized devices (one for flipping, one for transfer), the invention inverts the approach by using a single device that can perform both functions. The flipping arm can operate in flip mode or transfer mode, effectively reversing the conventional wisdom that each function requires dedicated equipment.
3Reliability
If the flipping operation is completed for one article before starting the next, then the flipping operation is performed correctly, but the throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by having the flipping arm constantly engaged in productive work. While one article is being flipped, the arm continuously moves to position for the next article. The periodic acceleration-constant speed-deceleration pattern ensures that the arm is always moving and preparing for the next operation, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action that increases throughput while ensuring complete flipping operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flipping apparatus, a system for processing articles comprising a said flipping apparatus, and a method for processing articles are provided. An article is picked by a first flipping arm. The first flipping arm rotates from a pick position into a pass position, at which the article is passed to a second flipping arm, which is in a receive position. The second flipping arm rotates from the receive position to a place position and places the article. By the passing of the article from the first to the second flipping arm and the rotations a flipping of the article is achieved. The first flipping arm and the second flipping arm each rotate at a higher speed when not carrying an article than when carrying an article. In addition, first and / or second flipping arm may perform a translation movement.