Elastic Vacuum Transfer Head for Low-Clearance Pad Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer wheels for manufacturing absorbent articles face issues with jamming and damage due to rigid transfer heads and clearance between components, leading to inefficiencies in the transfer process.
Innovation Solution
A transfer head comprising a support module with a vacuum mean and a core module with an elastic mean, allowing for reduced clearance and improved adaptability to maintain pads during transfer, using vacuum and elastic properties to compensate for shape differences and absorb shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the transfer head is made of rigid material to withstand stress, then the strength and durability of the transfer head is improved, but the clearance between the transfer head and feeding rollers increases, leading to jamming and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer head changes its physical state between rigid and elastic by controlling temperature. At operating temperature, the material becomes elastic to reduce clearance and prevent jamming. At lower temperatures, it returns to rigid state for structural strength. This dynamic parameter change resolves the contradiction between needing strength and needing minimal clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer head transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can change its mechanical properties. The material's modulus of elasticity varies with temperature, allowing the transfer head to adapt its rigidity/elasticity based on operational requirements, thus preventing jamming while maintaining durability.
2Reliability
If the clearance between transfer head and feeding rollers is reduced to prevent jamming, then the reliability of the transfer process is improved, but the transfer head becomes more susceptible to damage from stress
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer head material's elastic modulus is changed by temperature control. During operation, the material is heated to become elastic, allowing it to conform to feeding rollers and minimize clearance, preventing jamming. The material can still withstand stress because its elastic nature allows deformation without permanent damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transfer head is made elastic to reduce clearance, then the adaptability to feeding rollers is improved, but the ability to withstand stress during transfer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer head material transitions between rigid and elastic states through temperature control. At operating temperature, it becomes elastic to adapt to the contours of feeding rollers and minimize clearance. The material maintains sufficient stress resistance because its elastic properties allow it to deform and absorb stress without breaking, then return to its original shape.
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 enhances the stability and efficiency of pad transfer by minimizing distance and risk of damage, ensuring smooth operation and reducing the likelihood of jamming.
Implementation Method 1
a support module (28) comprising a vacuum mean (40), wherein the core module (30) comprises an elastic mean (32)
Implementation Method 2
the core module (30) comprises an elastic mean (32). The transfer head (24) according to the present invention allows the transfer of the pad from a pick-up location to a drop-off location thanks to the support module (28) that can maintain the pad onto the transfer head with the vacuum induced by the vacuum manifold and the elastic mean present in the core module (30) enables the transfer head to adapt to the shape of the other elements in the process line
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention concerns a transfer head (24) configured for the transfer of a pad (6) from a pick-up location (26) to a drop-off location (62). According to the invention, the transfer head (24) comprises a support module (28) comprising a vacuum manifold, and a core module (30) comprising an elastic mean (32). The current invention also concerns a method of transferring pad (6) from a pick-up location (26) to a drop-off location (62). The current invention also concerns an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article using said method of transferring pad (6) from a pick-up location (26) to a drop-off location (62). The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing an absorbent articles using said method of transferring pad (6).