Flat-packing machine for innerspring units

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Solution Overview

Problem

The flat-packing of innerspring units is a laborious and manpower-intensive process that poses health risks due to the significant forces required for compression, and existing methods lack efficiency and precision.

Innovation Solution

A flat-packing machine with a press device featuring multiple drives and interchangeable pressing tools that compress innerspring units in a precise, interleaved manner, assisted by automated feeding mechanisms and packaging materials, allowing for controlled compression and efficient production of compressed units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual compression of innerspring units is performed, then the process is simple in terms of device complexity, but it requires significant manpower and poses health risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression device complexityVSAvoidflat-packing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The compression device is divided into multiple pressing tools (first pressing tool, second pressing tool) that can operate independently and sequentially. Each pressing tool is equipped with its own drive mechanism, allowing them to work in an interleaved manner where one tool compresses while the other holds previously compressed units, thereby increasing productivity without requiring a single overly complex device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing tools are designed to be movable rather than fixed, with each tool capable of independent movement along the compression direction and perpendicular retraction direction. This dynamic design allows the tools to be withdrawn from the stack of compressed units and repositioned, enabling continuous operation and higher productivity while maintaining manageable device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple pressing tools are used to compress innerspring units, then productivity and precision are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression speedVSAvoidpress device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each pressing tool is equipped with independent drive mechanisms that enable movement along the compression direction and perpendicular retraction direction. This dynamic design allows the tools to operate in an interleaved sequence, improving productivity while distributing the complexity across multiple simpler, identical modules rather than one complex monolithic device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Each pressing tool is designed with specific local functions: one tool compresses while the other holds, and they alternate roles. This division of labor among identical modules allows the system to achieve high productivity through coordinated local actions rather than requiring a single complex pressing mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If pressing tools are withdrawn from the stack of compressed units, then the tools become available for further compression cycles, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous compression capabilityVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing tools are designed with independent movable mounting that allows them to be withdrawn from the stack of compressed units along a perpendicular retraction direction. This dynamic retraction capability enables the tools to be reused in subsequent compression cycles, achieving continuous operation. The control complexity is managed by using identical drive mechanisms for each tool, making the system scalable and maintainable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 machine automates the flat-packing process, reducing manpower requirements, enhancing precision, and minimizing health risks while enabling high-speed production of compressed innerspring units with improved stability and space efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The press device is configured to compress an innerspring unit between the first pressing tool and the second pressing tool along a compression direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

one of the first pressing tool and the second pressing tool holds one or more further previously compressed innerspring units in a compressed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3560843B1Flat-packing machine for innerspring units
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 L& P SWISS HLDG AG
  • EP3560843B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3560843B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3560843B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A flat-packing machine for producing a package of compressed innerspring units (10) comprises a press device having a first pressing tool (210) and a second pressing tool (220). The press device is configured to compress an innerspring unit (10) between the first pressing tool (210) and the second pressing tool (220) while one of the first pressing tool (210) and the second pressing tool (220) holds one or more further previously compressed innerspring units (10) in a compressed state.