Link Chain Workpiece Transport with Variable Gap Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for transporting workpieces arranged in a staggered manner are complex, require significant space, and often change the position and orientation of workpieces during transfer, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A device using link chains with increased frictional connection via rough surfaces or needles, and variable length to maintain workpiece position and orientation, allowing for precise transport and fanning out without position or rotation corrections, utilizing suction modules and synchronized drives for secure and accurate placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If known separating devices are used to transport workpieces in staggered arrangement, then workpieces can be conveyed further, but the devices are relatively complex and require a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple picking stations and depositing stations arranged in parallel rows. Each station independently handles workpieces from the staggered arrangement, dividing the complex transport task into simpler, repetitive unit operations that maintain workpiece positions without requiring complex mechanical separating mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The picking and depositing stations are designed with universal functionality to handle workpieces from any position in the staggered arrangement. The stations can pick workpieces from different offset positions and deposit them at corresponding locations, eliminating the need for specialized mechanisms for each specific workpiece configuration
2Ease of operation
If known separating devices are used to transport workpieces in staggered arrangement, then workpieces can be conveyed further, but the entire machine system becomes relatively long
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from linear transport to two-dimensional arrangement by organizing picking and depositing stations in parallel rows with lateral offsets. Workpieces are transported not only in the forward direction but also laterally to their final positions, allowing the system to be more compact in the longitudinal direction while achieving the same separation function
3Productivity
If workpieces are transferred from one conveyor belt to another, then workpieces can be separated, but the workpieces change their position and rotational position
Solution Approach 1:
The picking stations are positioned and configured in advance to account for the staggered arrangement of workpieces. Each picking station is pre-aligned to pick workpieces at the correct position and orientation from the offset rows, ensuring that workpieces are transferred to the depositing stations already in their final correct positions without requiring subsequent correction
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces complex mechanical position-correcting mechanisms with a precisely arranged system of picking and depositing stations. The stations themselves are positioned to inherently provide the correct transfer geometry, eliminating the need for additional mechanical devices to adjust workpiece positions and rotations during transfer
4Loss of substance
If workpieces are arranged in staggered positions to conserve raw material, then material utilization is improved, but the workpieces require complex further processing equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is segmented into multiple independent picking and depositing stations that can handle different workpiece positions simultaneously. This parallel processing approach simplifies each individual station's function while maintaining the ability to process staggered workpiece arrangements, avoiding the need for complex single-unit processing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the spatial parameters of the transport system by introducing lateral offsets between parallel rows of stations. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate staggered workpiece arrangements from nested cutting patterns while maintaining simple, standardized station designs that can be replicated across multiple positions
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
Ensures workpieces are deposited in the correct position and rotation, allowing for efficient further processing or transport without additional corrections, even at high speeds, and enables space-saving arrangement without lateral shifts or orientation changes.
Implementation Method 1
means are provided on the link chain which increase the frictional connection to the workpiece or which enable a positive connection with the workpiece. This is achieved either by means of a rough surface, by means of needles or the like.
Implementation Method 2
utilizing suction modules and synchronized drives for secure and accurate placement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The device (10) has link chains including a receiving station (26) and a discharging station (33) for a workpiece (12). The link chains receive, transport and deliver the workpiece in a region of the receiving and discharging stations in a transporting unit (18). A distance (40) of the workpiece in the discharging station fixed transverse to the transporting unit is greater than a distance (38) of the workpiece in the receiving station. A sucking module is provided below the link chains that include a set of chain links (30) with openings, so that air is passed through the openings.