Rotating Dual-Conveyor Workpiece Inversion for Faster Press Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work reversing apparatuses are inefficient in reversing and transporting work pieces, as they require significant time for operation and cannot be easily downsized due to design constraints, limiting productivity in press transporting lines.

Innovation Solution

A work reversing apparatus comprising a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a rotary driving unit that rotates both conveyors to efficiently reverse and transport work pieces, with the conveyors' surfaces facing each other to allow for efficient work handling and downsizing of the apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the first panel receiver reciprocates and rotates to transfer the panel, then the panel can be reversed and ejected, but the operation time cannot be decreased and productivity cannot be improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproductivity of the transporting lineVSAvoidoperation time of the panel reversing apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reversing apparatus is divided into multiple independent receivers (first receiver with first and second panes, second receiver with third and fourth panes) that can operate simultaneously. Each receiver has its own set of panes that can be independently positioned and operated, allowing parallel processing of multiple panels rather than sequential single-panel operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus uses rotatable receivers with movable panes that can dynamically change their configuration. The panes can be rotated between different positions (e.g., from a receiving position to an ejection position) and the receivers themselves can rotate to interchange positions, enabling flexible and rapid panel handling without fixed mechanical constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the work adsorption unit moves around a sprocket to reverse the work, then the work can be reversed, but the apparatus cannot be downsized and requires significant space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework reversal capabilityVSAvoidspace required for the apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the adsorption unit around a sprocket in a horizontal plane requiring large radial space, the invention uses receivers that rotate about vertical axes. The panes are arranged in a vertical stack and can be rotated between upper and lower positions, effectively using vertical space to achieve reversal functionality that would otherwise require horizontal space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple panes are nested within each receiver structure, with the first and second panes of the first receiver and third and fourth panes of the second receiver arranged to share common structural elements. The receivers themselves can be positioned close together, with their functional elements nested or overlapping in space, reducing the overall apparatus footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3677359B1Workpiece inversion device, press conveyance line, and workpiece inversion method
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 AIDA ENGINEERING LTD
  • EP3677359B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3677359B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3677359B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A work reversing apparatus includes: a first conveyor that transports a work; a second conveyor that transports a work; and a rotary driving unit that integrally rotates the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The rotary driving unit rotates the first conveyor and the second conveyor around a rotation center axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to a transporting direction of a work on the first conveyor and the second conveyor. By driving the rotary driving unit, a work can be reversed around the rotation center axis that extends in a direction perpendicular to the transporting direction.