Linear Motor Transport Device for Absorbent Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices for absorbent articles face challenges in stabilizing the operation and durability of guide portions due to uneven moment loads caused by the placement of drive and cam mechanisms, particularly in mass production systems where increased transport velocity exacerbates these issues.
Innovation Solution
A linear-motor type transport device is designed with the cam mechanism and driving components, such as conductors and magnets, arranged between the guide portions to reduce moment loads, allowing for more even distribution of forces and improved durability by minimizing differences in distances from these components to the guide portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive mechanism and cam mechanism are disposed between the guide portions, then the moment loads on the guide portions are reduced and operation stability is improved, but the space arrangement becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a conventional horizontal arrangement of mechanisms to a vertical arrangement between the guide portions. The drive mechanism and cam mechanism are positioned in the axial direction between the two guide portions, utilizing the vertical space that was previously underutilized. This spatial reconfiguration reduces moment loads on the guide portions while maintaining compact overall device dimensions.
2Productivity
If the transport velocity is increased for mass production, then the productivity is improved, but the moment loads and wear on the guide portions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the counterweight principle by strategically positioning the drive mechanism and cam mechanism between the two guide portions. This arrangement creates a balanced force distribution where the mechanisms act as counterbalancing elements, offsetting the increased moment loads generated during high-velocity operation. The symmetrical placement between guide portions ensures that inertial forces and gravitational effects are evenly distributed, reducing wear and improving durability during mass production operations.
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 configuration stabilizes the operation of the mobile unit, increases the durability of the guide portions, and enables efficient transport of absorbent materials by reducing frictional resistance and moment loads, thus enhancing the overall performance and longevity of the transport device.
Implementation Method 1
a control unit that moves the mobile unit, the moving being performed by supplying currents to a plurality of conductors and generating a propulsive force between the conductor and a magnet that is disposed on the mobile unit
Data Source
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AI summary
A linear-motor type transport device for transporting material for an absorbent article has an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction, and includes: a shaft portion (10); a pair of guide portions (20) forming a transport path that extends along the circumferential direction; a mobile unit (30) that moves on the transport path along the guide portions (20) while supporting a transport head (33) rotatably about a rotation axis, the rotation axis extending along the radial direction, the transport head (33) transporting a material for an absorbent article; a cam mechanism (40) that rotates the transport head (33) about the rotation axis through a predetermined angle when the mobile unit (30) is moved on the transport path; and a control unit (70) that moves the mobile unit (30), the moving being performed by supplying currents to conductors (50) and generating a propulsive force between the conductor (50) and a magnet (36) that is disposed on the mobile unit (30), the conductors (50) being disposed along the transport path. The cam mechanism (40) and the magnet (36) are arranged between the pair of guide portions (20) in the axial direction.