Franking Machine Package Conveying Unit with Spring-Loaded Double Levers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying devices in franking machines require high structural precision and precise coordination of rollers to prevent irregularities in package position and stability, leading to imprecise printed images.
Innovation Solution
The use of a conveying unit with at least two endless drawing means that circulate on deflecting rollers, supported by pivotable double levers and spring force, forming a conveying gap/channel that adjusts to package thickness for precise guidance and tensioning, reducing friction and ensuring reliable transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conveying rollers and drive elements are precisely coordinated to ensure stable package transport, then printing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying device is segmented into multiple independent drawing means, each with its own drive roller and counterpressure roller. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently adjusted and maintained, reducing the overall complexity while ensuring stable package transport for precise printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses reversible counterpressure rollers that can adjust their pressure parameters dynamically. This parameter adjustment capability allows the conveying device to adapt to different package types and thicknesses, maintaining printing precision without requiring complex fixed-precision mechanisms.
2Stability of the object's composition
If high structural precision is used in conveying rollers to prevent position irregularities, then package stability is improved, but ease of manufacture and serviceability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying device employs dynamically adjustable counterpressure rollers that can move and adapt their position based on package characteristics. This dynamic adjustment maintains package stability without requiring high fixed structural precision, making the device easier to manufacture and service.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversible counterpressure rollers automatically adjust their pressure and position in response to package variations, providing self-regulating stability. This self-service capability reduces the need for precision-manufactured fixed structures, improving ease of manufacture and serviceability.
3Ease of operation
If friction-driven conveying is used to transport packages, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to drive friction interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges friction-driven operation with positive pressure application through reversible counterpressure rollers. This combination maintains the ease of friction-driven operation while the counterpressure ensures continuous drive friction and reliable package transport without interruption.
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 solution provides a simple, reliable, and easy-to-use method for conveying packages, ensuring precise guidance and stable printing by maintaining tension and adjusting to package thickness, minimizing friction and irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
supported on the inner side of the runs by means of spring force which acts on the double levers
Implementation Method 2
pass the printing unit on at least one of the fiat sides in a manner which is driven in a frictionally locking manner
Data Source
AI summary
A device for printing flat packages fed individually to a printing unit of a franking machine, pass the printing unit on one side and are guided on a side edge in the conveying direction, including a conveying apparatus which grips the packages at a front end and, by a guide plate forms a conveying plane of a conveying gap with an opposite conveying unit of the conveying apparatus. In the conveying direction, the conveying unit has two endless drawing devices next to each other which circulate a common axle on deflecting rollers, and the upper run of which, and the lower run of which are guided on running rollers mounted freely rotatably in pairs so as to lie opposite one another at pivotable ends of double lever arms assigned to the upper and the lower run, and supported on the inner side of the runs by spring force.