Fin Stacking Device Roller Guide Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fin stacking apparatuses often cause buckling of fins due to frictional forces between the suction plate and the fin during movement, leading to bending and potential misalignment with stacking pins.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating rollers in the slide region of the suction plate where the fin moves, reducing frictional forces and preventing buckling by ensuring smooth movement of the fin without bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the suction plate sucks the fin to move the fin, then the fin can be conveyed to the stacking position, but the frictional force between the suction plate and the fin causes buckling and bending of the fin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefin conveyance speedVSAvoidfin straightness
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A guide plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the suction plate and the fin. The guide plate has a guide surface that contacts the fin during conveyance, replacing the direct frictional contact between the suction plate and fin. This intermediary structure reduces friction and prevents buckling while maintaining effective fin transport to the stacking position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the suction plate directly contacts the fin for movement, then the fin can be controlled during conveyance, but the frictional force generates buckling that prevents accurate stacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefin control during conveyanceVSAvoidstacking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plate serves as a mediator that improves fin control during conveyance while preventing buckling. The guide surface provides controlled contact that guides the fin smoothly, ensuring both ease of operation during transport and reliability for accurate stacking by eliminating the buckling caused by direct suction plate contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the fin moves on the suction plate with friction, then the fin can be transported, but the bending occurs between the driving point and friction point

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefin transport efficiencyVSAvoidfin flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The guide plate with its guide surface acts as an intermediary that enables efficient fin transport while maintaining fin flatness. The guide surface provides smooth contact that reduces friction-induced bending, allowing the fin to be transported effectively without compromising its flat shape or causing buckling between the driving point and friction point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 rollers effectively reduce friction, allowing for the fin to be moved without buckling, ensuring accurate stacking by maintaining alignment with the stacking pins.

Implementation Method 1

a suction plate which is arranged above the plurality of stacking pins and is configured to suck the fin through a plurality of holes formed in the suction plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3231550B1Fin-stacking device
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3231550B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3231550B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3231550B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a fin stacking apparatus, which is configured to stack a fin having a flat-plate shape and a plurality of holes formed therein. The fin stacking apparatus includes: a plurality of stacking pins to be inserted into the plurality of holes of the fin; a suction plate which is arranged above the plurality of stacking pins and is configured to suck the fin through a plurality of holes formed in the suction plate; and a roller arranged in a slide region on the suction plate where a flat surface portion of the fin moves.