Flexible Fin Gripping Element for Accumulator Table Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripping elements in accumulator tables cause products to be dragged along the support surface during gripping, leading to potential damage and decreased transfer speed, and may destabilize products upon release due to fin separation and sudden acceleration.
Innovation Solution
The gripping element features flexible fins that extend in a plane aligned with the transfer direction, incorporating a sloped section to lift the product from the support surface and reduce destabilization risks, with multiple fins and overlapping configurations to enhance mechanical reliability and prevent fin collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flexible fins extend perpendicular to the transfer direction, then the gripping element can effectively engage and move the product, but the product is dragged along the support surface causing damage and decreased transfer speed
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fin is rotated to extend substantially in the transfer direction rather than perpendicular to it. This dimensional reorientation allows the fin to engage the product and lift it from the support surface in the transfer direction, eliminating the dragging effect while maintaining gripping effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If the gripping element uses conventional fin configuration, then the structure is simple, but the product may be destabilized after release due to fin separation and sudden acceleration at bends
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the flexible fin in the transfer direction rather than perpendicular to it, the fin maintains closer proximity to the product throughout the transfer trajectory. This configuration reduces the radius of curvature effect at bends and prevents sudden acceleration that would destabilize the product upon release.
3Force
If multiple flexible fins are used to improve gripping capability, then the gripping force increases, but the separation between consecutive fins increases at bends causing product destabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fins are oriented in the transfer direction, which changes the spatial relationship between consecutive fins. This orientation maintains more consistent spacing between fins throughout the transfer trajectory, including at bends, thereby preventing product destabilization while preserving the enhanced gripping force provided by multiple fins.
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
This design minimizes product dragging and destabilization, maintaining transfer speed and reliability by lifting products from the surface and reducing the risk of fin collisions, thereby enhancing the overall performance of accumulator tables.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible fin comprises a sloped section that extends at an upward angle with respect to the transfer direction causing the product to be lifted from the support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping element for a transfer arrangement of an accumulator table, including a pair of opposing transfer devices for engaging a product at a gripping location on an infeed conveyor for the transfer devices and for releasing the product, the transfer devices having a driven, endless carrier including gripping elements, driven such that when the drive system is activated the gripping elements are moved by the endless carrier along an endless trajectory, the transfer devices configured for simultaneously moving all gripping elements, and the product engaged thereby, in a transfer direction along a transfer trajectory from the gripping location to a release location, includes a flexible fin for engaging the product, during use substantially extending in a plane aligned with the transfer direction, the fin having such a shape that, when at that gripping location, the transfer direction is substantially parallel to a product support surface of the infeed conveyor.