Variable Velocity Holding Pad for Absorbent Article Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manufacturing absorbent articles impose a large load on cam mechanisms and servomotors due to multiple constant-velocity regions during the conveying process, leading to reduced durability and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize a holding pad rotating along a circling path with velocity changes to pick up and hand over workpieces, a conveying device adjusting velocity based on product size, and a velocity-changing device that continuously decelerates or accelerates the holding pad's velocity between hand-over positions, allowing for flexible positioning of hand-over points to accommodate different sizes without constant velocity periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple constant-velocity regions are provided to accommodate different product sizes, then the apparatus can manufacture articles of varying sizes, but the load on the cam mechanism increases and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the holding pad's velocity variable rather than constant. The velocity-changing device continuously adjusts the circumferential velocity of the holding pad during rotation, eliminating the need for multiple constant-velocity regions. This dynamic velocity adjustment allows the same apparatus configuration to accommodate different product sizes while maintaining continuous motion and reducing mechanical load on the cam mechanism.
2Speed
If the holding pad velocity is changed using a velocity-changing cam mechanism, then the holding pad can accelerate and decelerate, but the repeated acceleration and deceleration impose large loads on the cam mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by continuously varying the circumferential velocity parameter of the holding pad during its rotation. The velocity-changing device modifies the velocity parameter in a controlled manner, eliminating abrupt acceleration and deceleration cycles. This continuous parameter adjustment reduces the dynamic loads on the cam mechanism while maintaining the necessary speed variations for different product sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hand-over positions are provided for different product sizes, then the apparatus can accommodate size variations, but the plurality of constant-velocity regions increases the load on the servomotor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the single hand-over position and velocity-changing device capable of handling multiple product sizes. Instead of providing dedicated hand-over positions for each size, the velocity-changing device universally adjusts the holding pad's velocity to accommodate any product size requirement. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple constant-velocity regions and reduces the overall load on the servomotor.
Data Source
AI summary
The present apparatus for manufacturing an article includes a velocity-changing device that changes velocity so that circumferential velocity of a holding pad is continuously decelerated or continuously accelerated during a period from a first start time, at which hand-over of a workpiece of a first size at an upstream position as a hand-over position on a circling path is started, to a second start time, at which hand-over of a workpiece of a second size at a downstream position as the hand-over position downstream of the upstream position on the circling path is started.