Automatic Feeding of Metal Section Bars via Gripping and Progressive Disentanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatic feeding of metallic section bars, such as iron rods for reinforced concrete, are inefficient due to complex detection requirements, slow operation, and limitations in handling flexible and long bars, leading to increased production time and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that seize a group of metallic section bars, transfer them to a lifted position, arrange on a transfer device for separation, count, and disentangle them progressively along their longitudinal axis, allowing for efficient feeding and discharge, utilizing gripping tools, a tracked transfer device, and counting instruments to optimize the feeding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sophisticated detecting instruments are used to detect bar positions for selection, then bar separation precision is improved, but device complexity and operating time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex optoelectronic instruments and replaces it with simple mechanical position detection through the gripping device's natural interaction with bars. The gripping device itself serves as the detection mechanism, eliminating the need for separate sophisticated detecting instruments while maintaining sufficient precision for bar selection and separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device performs dual functions: it both detects bar positions through its mechanical interaction and executes the separation action. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate detection instruments, reducing device complexity while maintaining operational precision.
2Measurement precision
If repeated lowering and lifting of bar bundles is performed for selection, then bar separation precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to extended operating time
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is designed to simultaneously perform detection, selection, and separation in a single preliminary action. By pre-positioning the gripping device to engage multiple bars at once and executing separation in one motion, the system eliminates repeated lowering and lifting cycles, thereby maintaining precision while dramatically improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges detection, selection, and separation functions into a single integrated gripping device operation. This consolidation allows all functions to be performed in one continuous action rather than through repeated separate operations, improving both precision and productivity.
3Device complexity
If single bar separation is performed at each cycle, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is segmented into multiple gripping elements that can independently engage different bars within the bundle. This segmentation allows the device to separate multiple bars simultaneously while maintaining the simplicity of a single device structure, thereby improving productivity without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device is designed with universal multi-functionality to handle multiple bars of varying sizes and configurations through a single device structure. This multi-functionality enables simultaneous separation of multiple bars while maintaining device simplicity, resolving the contradiction between complexity and productivity.
4Ease of operation
If apparatus is designed for stiff short bars or pipes, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to flexible long iron rods decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to adapt its gripping force and configuration based on the bar's flexibility and length. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same simple device structure to effectively handle both stiff short bars and flexible long iron rods, maintaining ease of operation while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows parameter changes in gripping force, engagement position, and separation speed to accommodate different bar types. By adjusting these parameters, the same apparatus can effectively operate on stiff short bars, flexible long iron rods, and intermediate configurations, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The method for the automatic feeding of metal section bars provides for seizing a group of metal section bars (2) from a store (3) by means of gripping tools (11) and for transferring the said group of metal section bars (2) in a lifted position. The metal section bars (2) are arranged on a transfer device (20) suited to transfer the metal section bars (2) on receiving means (30). In a suitable phase relationship, the counting of the metal section bars (2) transferred on the said receiving means (30) is carried out. Such operating cycle is repeated until a prefixed number of metal section bars (2) is reached. The whole of the metal section bars (2) is disentangled through the progressive sliding of the receiving means (30) along the longitudinal axis of the metal section bars (2).