Fabric spreading device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cloth spreading devices experience inefficiencies due to waiting time for workers as input chucks remain standby until relay units are ready to receive cloths, leading to reduced production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of relay units with a circling member and actuator allows for the efficient transfer of cloths from input units to extension units, enabling continuous operation by moving relay chucks between forward and backward positions, and extension chucks grip corner portions for spreading the cloth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the input chuck moves up and waits for the relay unit to be ready, then the cloth transfer is ensured, but the worker's productivity decreases due to waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The relay chuck is preliminarily positioned at the transfer position before the input chuck arrives, so that the transfer can occur immediately without waiting. The control unit coordinates the relay chuck to move to the transfer position in advance, eliminating the idle waiting time for the worker while ensuring reliable cloth transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay unit acts as an intermediary between the input chuck and the extension chuck. It receives the cloth from the input chuck and transfers it to the extension chuck, enabling continuous operation by bridging the gap between input and extension operations, thus preventing worker idle time.
2Productivity
If the relay chuck remains at the backward position, then the extension unit can operate continuously, but the input unit experiences standby time
Solution Approach 1:
The relay chuck dynamically changes its position between forward and backward states based on operational needs. The control unit manages this dynamic positioning, allowing the relay chuck to be at the backward position during extension operations and move to the forward position when input transfer is needed, optimizing both productivity and time utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay chuck performs periodic movement between forward and backward positions in coordination with the operational cycles of the input unit and extension unit. This periodic action ensures that the relay chuck is available for transfer when needed and out of the way during extension, eliminating standby time while maintaining continuous operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a cloth spreading device capable of shortening the waiting time until inputting work of a worker and achieving high production efficiency. A cloth spreading device 1 includes: a plurality of input units 30; a plurality of relay units 40 provided corresponding to the input units 30; and an extension unit 50. Each of the input units 30 includes: an input chuck 31; and an up-down moving machine 32 that moves the input chuck 31 up and down. Each of the relay units 40 receives a cloth C from the input chuck 31 having moved up to a transfer position and transfers the received cloth C to the extension unit 50. The input chuck 31 having transferred the cloth C to the relay unit 40 moves down to an input position. Standby time of the input chuck 31 until the relay unit 40 becomes ready to receive the cloth C can be shortened so that the input chuck 31 can be moved down without delay to the input position.