Inclined Belt Conveyor Buffer for Flat Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems for flat objects, such as paper or cardboard, often cause undesired deformation and surface changes due to mechanical stresses, especially affecting objects with low strength, and require complex and costly setups for flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A buffer device with a control system, an inclined endless belt conveyor, suction, and blowing devices to gently guide and stack flat objects using an air cushion, minimizing mechanical contact and allowing for flexible operation as both an input and output buffer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical conveying devices are used to transport flat objects, then conveying efficiency and control are improved, but the flat objects suffer deformation and surface changes due to mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical conveying systems with pneumatic fields. Flat objects are conveyed using air streams generated by blowing devices rather than mechanical contact through rollers or belts. This substitution eliminates mechanical stresses that cause deformation while maintaining conveying control through adjustable air flow parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic fields for both conveying and stacking operations. Blowing devices generate controlled air streams that transport flat objects through the system, and stacking devices use pneumatic pressure to gently place objects onto stacks. This pneumatic approach avoids the mechanical contact and associated deformation problems of traditional conveying systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex conveying devices such as input buffers and output buffers are used to achieve flexibility in conveying processes, then process flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs conveying and stacking devices that can perform multiple functions. The same pneumatic conveying system can adjust its parameters to handle different object types, sizes, and conveying requirements. The stacking device can adapt to various stacking patterns and configurations, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices for different operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable pneumatic fields that can be controlled in real-time. Blowing devices can vary air flow rate, direction, and pressure to adapt to different conveying needs. The system can dynamically respond to changing process requirements without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration, achieving flexibility through controlled pneumatic parameters rather than mechanical complexity.
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
The solution ensures deformation-free and precise handling of flat objects, reducing material stress and cost while enabling flexible and efficient operation of conveyor systems with reduced device complexity and increased flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device (2) connected to the belt conveyor (1), by means of which incoming flat objects (71, 72, ...) can be drawn against the at least one endless belt (12) and coupled to it
Implementation Method 2
a blowing device (3), by means of which an airflow directed towards the deposit (7) can be guided along the side of the at least one endless belt (12) that faces the incoming flat objects (71, 72, ...)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
A buffer device (10) for stacking planar objects (71, 72, ...) made of paper, cardboard, or plastic arriving along a conveyor axis (x10) in a storage position on a tray (51) comprises a control device (8) for controlling the stacking process; a belt conveyor (1) with at least one endless belt (12) driven by belt rollers (11), by means of which arriving planar objects (71, 72, ...) can be transported sequentially towards the storage position; a suction device (2) connected to the belt conveyor (1), by means of which arriving planar objects (71, 72, ...) can be drawn against and coupled to the at least one endless belt (12); and a blowing device (3), by means of which an airflow directed towards the tray (51) can be guided along the side of the at least one endless belt (12), which blows the arriving planar objects (71, 72, ...)) is directed towards; and at least one guide element (60) along which a planar object (71) coupled to the belt conveyor (1) can be guided along a guide axis (x10) preferably up to a stop (94) into the deposit position; wherein the running axis (x1) of the at least one endless belt (12) is inclined by an angle of inclination (a) relative to the conveyor axis (x10), so that a transverse force (Fa) pointing towards the guide element (9) acts on the transported planar objects (71, 72, ...).