Movable Chip Cartridge for Sheet Punch Spill Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chip trays often spill paper chads or chips when users attempt to empty them into a waste receptacle due to inadequate containment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A movable chip cartridge with a chamber and a movable member that transitions between open and closed positions to control chip entry and exit, ensuring minimal surface area exposure when not in use, thereby preventing spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a chip tray with an open or easily accessible opening is used, then chips can be easily entered during punching operation, but chips spill when attempting to empty the tray
Solution Approach 1:
The chip tray incorporates a movable member (such as a door or flap) that can transition between open and closed positions. During punching operation, the member is open to allow chip entry. During emptying, the member closes to contain chips, preventing spills. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between ease of chip entry and reliable chip containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening area of the chip tray is dynamically changed based on operational phase. When chips need to be entered, the opening is maximized. When chips need to be contained for emptying, the opening is minimized or closed completely. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the opening size to different operational requirements.
2Reliability
If a chip tray with a completely closed chamber is used, then chip containment is maximized, but chip entry during punching operation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member (door or flap) dynamically opens during punching operation to allow chip entry, then closes to provide maximum containment. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing full openness when needed for chip entry and complete closure when needed for containment during transport and emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The chip tray opening undergoes periodic cycles of opening and closing corresponding to different operational phases. The opening is activated during punching to receive chips, then closes for containment during removal and transport. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between needing the opening open for chip entry and closed for containment.
3Ease of operation
If a large opening area is provided in the chip tray, then chip entry is facilitated, but chip containment during transport is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The chip tray features a movable member that dynamically adjusts the opening area. During chip entry, the member opens to provide a large opening area for easy chip reception. During transport and emptying, the member closes to minimize the opening area to near zero, eliminating spill risk. This dynamic area adjustment resolves the contradiction between large opening for entry and small opening for containment.
Data Source
AI summary
A punch includes a base and a chip cartridge that is movably coupled to the base. The chip cartridge is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the base and defines a chamber that is configured to receive and hold chips produced during a punching operation. The chip cartridge includes a chip receiving portion that is configured to receive chips created during the punching operation and to permit entry of the chips into the chamber while the chip cartridge is in the first position. When the chip cartridge is in the second position, the chip receiving portion provides communication between the chamber and outside the chamber via an area less than or equal to about 200 percent of a surface area of the chip produced by the punch.