Flexible Strap Guide Chain for Tall Object Strapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strapping devices struggle to securely strap tall objects due to mechanical instability and require excessive manual effort, limiting their effectiveness and versatility, especially when compared to fully automatic but costly and stationary systems.
Innovation Solution
A device with a guide element and strap guide chain that allows the strap to be guided through a flexible channel, preventing breakage at high heights and enabling easy tensioning, featuring a modular design for mobility and adjustable height, reducing operator strain and accommodating various object heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid strap guide chain is used to prevent tipping at height, then mechanical stability is improved, but the device becomes unsuitable for tall objects due to decreased stability at greater heights
Solution Approach 1:
The strap guide chain is designed with a flexible back that can dynamically adapt its shape and position. This flexibility allows the chain to accommodate tall objects by bending and conforming to the object's height, rather than rigidly resisting deformation. The flexible back enables the guide chain to maintain proper alignment and guidance functionality even when extended to great heights, resolving the contradiction between rigidity for stability and flexibility for adaptability.
2Extent of automation
If a stationary frame structure is used for automatic strapping, then automation is improved, but mobility is lost and the device cannot be pushed to pallets or items
Solution Approach 1:
The strapping device is divided into separate functional modules: a mobile bearing device that can be pushed to the object, and a stationary guide element that remains fixed. The bearing device includes a strap guide chain that can be extended and retracted independently. This segmentation allows the automation functions (strap guide, tensioning, closing) to be performed by the mobile unit while maintaining the ability to be pushed to different locations, resolving the contradiction between automation and mobility.
3Device complexity
If manual feeding of strapping is required, then device simplicity is maintained, but operator burden increases due to bending down and manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The strap guide chain is designed to automatically guide and feed the strapping band through the bearing device and around the object without requiring manual intervention. The chain's flexible back allows it to self-adjust and self-feed the strap, eliminating the need for the operator to bend down and manually handle the strapping. The system serves itself by using the motion of the bearing device and the flexibility of the guide chain to automatically position and tension the strap, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
A device (1, 32) for strapping pallets and/or objects (2) with at least one strapping band (27) comprises at least one band guide (3, 37) extendable from a rest state to an operating state, with a band guide channel for receiving the strapping band (27), and a guide element (15, 34) with a longitudinal slot (21). The band guide (3, 37) in the rest state and at least one section (17) of the guide element (15, 34), which is oriented with the longitudinal slot (21) towards the object (2) to be strapped, can be positioned on opposite sides of the object (2), adjacent to the object (2), wherein the band guide (3, 37) in the operating state extends under the object (2) to the section (17) that is continuous for the strapping band (27).In this process, a front end of the strapping band (27) performs an upward movement as it passes through the section (17) to a height that is greater than the height of the object (2) to be strapped.