Flat Workpiece Transport System with Height-Adjustable Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bag manufacturing devices face limitations due to the design of transport systems, which cause hose pieces to be compressed and potentially damaged during the transition from longitudinal to transverse transport, leading to reduced efficiency and performance.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves advancing the subsequent hose piece by a certain distance while the preceding piece is moved in a shorter distance than its width, allowing for immediate transport of the next piece without waiting for the previous one to clear the support surface, and using height-adjustable support surfaces to guide the hose over interfering edges without contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the hose piece is advanced in the longitudinal direction using a support surface, then the hose can be transported to the transverse transport level, but the hose piece is compressed and potentially damaged by interfering edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport operationVSAvoidcompression and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a height dimension to the support surface, making it height-adjustable relative to the transport level. This allows the support surface to be positioned at different heights during the transport process, enabling the hose to be guided over interfering edges without contact while avoiding compression damage.

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

2Ease of operation

If the support surface is designed with interfering edges to guide the hose, then the hose can be directed to the transverse transport level, but the hose bumps or is pushed causing compression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidance functionVSAvoidcompression
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface is made height-adjustable, allowing its position to be dynamically changed during the transport process. This dynamic adjustment enables the support surface to adapt to different stages of hose transport, providing guidance when needed while avoiding compression by adjusting its height relative to the hose and transport level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the hose piece is completely removed from the support surface before the next piece is advanced, then the next piece can be transported immediately, but the distance between hose pieces increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport throughputVSAvoiddistance between hose pieces
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary action by allowing the next hose piece to be advanced while the previous piece is still partially on the support surface. The height-adjustable support surface allows the leading end of the next hose to be positioned without waiting for the previous hose to completely clear the support, thereby reducing the distance between hose pieces and increasing throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If the support surface is lowered to allow hose transport, then the hose can be moved to the transverse level, but the hose receives no support during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport capabilityVSAvoidhose support
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface is made height-adjustable, allowing it to be dynamically positioned during the transport process. This enables the support surface to provide stability when needed while allowing the hose to be moved to the transverse transport level, combining both support and transport capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2323935B1Method and device for transporting flat workpieces
Publication Date: 2014.12.24 WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER GMBH
  • EP2323935B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2323935B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2323935B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention describes a method for changing the transporting direction of successive flat workpieces in a device for transporting flat workpieces (2, 22) with a workpiece width (B), in particular of hose sections (2, 22) - in which flat workpieces (2, 22) are advanced onto a supporting surface (13) in a first transporting direction (z) by means of an advancing device (19),-in which in each case a flat workpiece (2, 22) is conveyed from the supporting surface (13) by means of a transfer device (20, 24-27) in a second transporting direction (x) which is parallel to the plane of the flat workpiece (2, 22) and extends orthogonally with respect to the first transporting direction (z), wherein, directly before and/or during the transport in this transporting direction (x), the flat workpiece (2, 22) bears, at least with its side regions on a transport plane (20) of the transfer device (20, 24 - 27). A following flat workpiece (2, 22) is advanced at least by a certain distance (?z), while the workpiece running ahead is transported on in the second transporting direction (x) by a distance (?x) which is shorter than the workpiece width (B).