Modular Sanitary Product Line Layout for Flexible Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing production lines for sanitary products lack flexibility in design and management, with units and components being specific to a single line, making them inflexible, expensive, and difficult to adapt or reuse across different lines, and safety protections bulky and non-adaptable.

Innovation Solution

A production line comprising modular, standardized manufacturing units with interchangeable structural support frames and panels, allowing for flexible combinations and the use of a cleaning robot, while maintaining safety and handling space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If production lines are made with fixed, non-modular units, then structural stability and simplicity are improved, but flexibility and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The production line is divided into separate modular units, each with its own support frame and operative assembly. These units can be independently configured, assembled, and reconfigured. The segmentation allows each unit to maintain structural stability while the entire system gains flexibility through modular composition and interchangeability of units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support frames are designed with adjustable and reconfigurable characteristics, allowing the operative assemblies to be dynamically repositioned or replaced. This dynamic capability enables the production line to adapt to different manufacturing requirements while maintaining stable operation during production cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If production lines use customized, line-specific components, then operational reliability is improved, but cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support frames and operative assemblies are designed as universal, standardized modules that can be used across multiple production lines and configurations. This universality reduces the variety of unique components needed, lowering overall system complexity and cost while maintaining reliable operation through proven, reusable designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design enables operative assemblies to be easily removed, recovered, and reused in different positions or configurations. Instead of custom-built components that are discarded or difficult to relocate, these standardized modules can be recovered and redeployed, reducing complexity and improving cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Object-affected harmful factors

If safety protections are made bulky and fixed, then operator safety is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Safety protections are designed as movable or adjustable rather than fixed and bulky. This allows the safety systems to dynamically adapt to operational needs, providing protection when required while allowing easy access to operative areas during maintenance or configuration changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Safety functions are extracted as separate, removable components rather than integrated into bulky fixed structures. This allows safety protections to be positioned optimally for operator safety while maintaining clear access pathways and ease of operation when safety risks are mitigated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4570221B1Production line for the manufacture of sanitary products such as absorbent products for sanitary use
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 GDM
  • EP4570221B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4570221B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4570221B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention concerns a production line for sanitary products realized by standard manufacturing stations connected to each other in a modular way to which also standard panellings are connected, supporting the manufacturing members.