Movable Blade Transport Device for Variable Thickness Product Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product transport apparatuses struggle to stably transport products of different thicknesses due to fixed blade intervals, leading to inefficient handling and the need for additional compression steps post-transport.
Innovation Solution
A product transport apparatus with movable blades along a rail, controlled by a unit that adjusts blade intervals to compress products during transport, allowing for flexible handling and elimination of post-transport compression steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed blades are used on the transport belt, then the structure is simple, but the blade interval cannot be adjusted making it difficult to stably hold products of different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the blade support structure movable instead of fixed. The blades are mounted on movable parts that can adjust their positions along the transport belt, allowing the blade interval to be dynamically changed according to different product thicknesses. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity through controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the blade interval parameter to be adjusted. The movable parts supporting the blades can change their positions to modify the distance between adjacent blades, enabling the system to adapt to various product thicknesses. This directly addresses the contradiction by making the previously fixed parameter adjustable.
2Productivity
If fixed blade interval is used, then the device complexity is low, but products are not compressed during transport requiring additional compression steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the dynamics principle to enable compression during transport by making the blade interval adjustable. The movable parts allow the blades to move closer together at specific locations, compressing the product in-transit. This eliminates the need for separate post-transport compression steps, improving productivity while the controlled movement keeps the system manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining the transport function with the compression function into a single integrated process. By enabling blade interval adjustment during transport, the system performs both transportation and compression operations simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate compression steps and thereby improving manufacturing efficiency.
3Productivity
If movable parts with adjustable positions are used, then product compression is enabled, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by enabling dynamic adjustment of the blade interval through the movable parts. The control system manages the positions of these movable parts to achieve product compression at specific locations. While this increases control complexity compared to fixed blades, the automated control of predetermined positions keeps the system manageable and justified by the productivity gains from integrated compression.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
Included are a rail (110); movable parts (120); a blade (130) supported by a corresponding one of the movable parts (120); and a control unit (500) capable of individually controlling positions of the movable parts (120) on a transport path. The movable parts (120) include a first movable part (1201) supporting a first blade (1301) and a second movable part (1202) supporting a second blade (1302). A housing place, a passing place, and a discharge place are provided on the transport path. The control unit (500) controls positions of the first and second movable parts (1201), (1202) such that an interval between the first and second movable parts (1201), (1202) in the direction of transport is a predetermined distance in the housing place, and control the positions of the first and second movable parts (1201), (1202) such that the interval is smaller than the predetermined distance in the passing place.