Gripping Unit Guide Extending Beneath Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying products on a base, such as paper, cardboard, or film, often results in loss of contact during rotation or pivoting about a vertical axis, leading to impaired conveying and potential damage to the base and the conveying system.
Innovation Solution
A gripper unit with a first guide that extends beneath the base, ensuring it is guided and conveyed in the same direction and speed as the products, along with a securing element to maintain contact, particularly at the corners or edges, to prevent folding or compression and maintain the predefined relation during rotation or pivoting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the base is made of thin material (paper, cardboard, film) to reduce weight and cost, then the base becomes more flexible and easier to handle, but the base becomes prone to folding, compressing, and losing contact during rotation or pivoting
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into an upper side and a lower side, with the lower side being engaged by the guide extending beneath it. This segmentation allows the upper side to remain thin and lightweight for product conveyance, while the lower side provides structural engagement points for the guide, preventing folding and compression during rotation or pivoting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The guide acts as an intermediary element between the gripper unit and the base. It extends beneath the lower side of the base and bears against it, providing mechanical support and guidance that prevents the thin base material from folding or compressing during conveying operations, while still allowing the base to remain lightweight
2Adaptability or versatility
If the base is rotated or pivoted about a vertical axis during conveying, then the products can be repositioned and arranged in different configurations, but the base loses contact with the conveying system and may become damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The guide extends beneath the lower side of the base in advance, establishing a predetermined engagement path before rotation or pivoting occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that during subsequent rotational movements, the base maintains continuous contact with the guide, preventing loss of contact and potential damage while enabling flexible repositioning
3Reliability
If the guide extends as far as beneath the lower side of the base, then the base is securely guided and prevented from folding or compressing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide extends beneath the lower side of the base only at specific locations where engagement is necessary for stable conveying and rotation. This localized extension provides sufficient guidance and support to prevent folding and compression, while avoiding unnecessary complexity in the overall guide structure
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping unit grips a base having a thickness that is defined by an upper side and a lower side thereof and that conveys a product on the upper side. The gripping unit has a pair of first guides with corresponding guide surfaces in contact with the base. The guide surfaces extends as far as beneath the lower side of the base.