Leather Inspection Clamping Layout for Easier Material Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for quality control of leather and sheet-like materials are cumbersome for users of short stature, as they require tedious operation and simultaneous activation of both clamping points, making it difficult to easily insert and clamp materials, especially for examining large or heavy skins.

Innovation Solution

The device features independently movable second clamping parts that can open horizontally or downwardly, allowing for individual or synchronized operation of clamping points, enabling easier material alignment and insertion, with rotatable and inflatable components for gentle clamping and improved accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a swing frame with simultaneous clamping is used, then clamping force is sufficient, but operability becomes difficult for users of short stature and both clamps must be activated simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device is divided into two independent clamping points (front and rear), each with its own clamping mechanism that can be operated separately. This segmentation allows the rear clamping point to be opened independently for material insertion while the front remains closed, and vice versa, eliminating the need for simultaneous activation and improving accessibility for users of short stature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping points are designed with movable second clamping parts that can be dynamically adjusted relative to the first clamping parts. The horizontal and downward movement capability allows the clamps to adapt to different material sizes and shapes, while the independent operation enables flexible sequencing of clamping actions based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the second clamping parts are movable horizontally and downwardly, then accessibility is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second clamping parts are designed to move in two dimensions: horizontally away from the first clamping part and downwardly. This multi-directional movement creates additional operational space and improves accessibility for material insertion, while the coordinated motion in multiple dimensions allows for more flexible material handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If individual clamping points can be opened separately, then material alignment is easier, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial alignmentVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rear clamping point can be opened independently before the front clamping point, allowing the material to be pre-positioned and aligned on the device before final clamping. This preliminary action at the rear clamp provides a convenient entry point for material insertion and alignment without requiring both clamps to be open simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2105529B1Device for quality control of leather or other film-type materials
Publication Date: 2012.02.15 BIMA MASCHFAB GEBRR BIEDERMANN
  • EP2105529B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2105529B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2105529B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The device (10) has a unit for clamping the material at two clamping positions (11,12). The unit for clamping the material has clamping units (11.1,12.1) and other clamping units (11.2,12.2) opposite to the former clamping unit. The material clamping unit is movable at each of the two clamping positions.