Individually Driven Folding Shuttles for Cardboard Package Side Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding devices for cardboard packages require high speeds and complex movement curves, leading to kinematic limits and manual adjustments, making them inefficient and prone to errors in processing multiple packages simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with independently controllable transporting units and folding units that adjust spacing and speed to fold side flaps of cardboard packages, allowing for simultaneous processing without additional guide rails or holding devices, and enabling adaptation to different package sizes and formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high speeds and complex movement curves are used in existing folding devices, then folding speed is improved, but kinematic limits are reached and manual adjustments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transporting units independently controllable in terms of position and speed. Each transporting unit can dynamically adjust its movement to fold side flaps by reducing spacing to a second value, enabling adaptive folding actions without complex predetermined movement curves. This dynamic control allows the system to respond flexibly to different package configurations while maintaining simplicity in the control mechanism.
2Productivity
If multiple packages are processed simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but spacing requirements increase and errors become more prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through independently controllable transporting units that autonomously manage their own position and speed. Each unit can independently reduce spacing to fold side flaps of adjacent packages without requiring external coordination or large fixed spacings. This self-managing capability enables simultaneous processing of multiple packages with high reliability, as each unit adapts its actions based on real-time positioning rather than relying on predetermined rigid spacing.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional guide rails or holding devices are added, then folding precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing transporting units that perform multiple functions: they transport packages along the conveying path and simultaneously execute folding actions by adjusting spacing. The folding units integrated with transporting units can fold side flaps without requiring separate guide rails or holding devices. This multi-functional design achieves folding precision while maintaining structural simplicity, as the same components serve dual purposes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustments are required, then adaptability to different package sizes is improved, but operating time increases and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through independently controllable transporting units that can dynamically adjust their position and speed based on real-time operational requirements. The system uses feedback control to manage the spacing between transporting units, enabling automatic adaptation to different package sizes and formats without manual intervention. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain adaptability while eliminating the time loss and errors associated with manual adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a folding device (10) for transporting an outer cardboard package (20) having folding lines and for folding at least one side flap (21) of the outer cardboard package (20). The folding device (10) comprises at least one conveyor system with a guiding unit (11) and with at least two transporting and folding shuttles (30) disposed on the guiding unit (11) for the transport of the outer cardboard packages (20) in a transport direction (TR). The at least two shuttles (30) are disposed in a row at the conveyor system and are transported in a transport direction (TR) through and/or by the conveyor system. Each shuttle (30) comprises its own, individually controllable drive (32) and further at least one folding unit (35) for folding over at least one side flap (21) of an outer cardboard package (20).