Movable Stock Supply Assembly for Dunnage Machine Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dunnage conversion machines face difficulties in efficiently loading new sheet stock material, especially in confined or obstructed spaces, due to the high positioning requirements for the supply tray, which can be challenging for operators to reach and align correctly.
Innovation Solution
A stock supply assembly with a movable support structure and linkage mechanism that allows the tray to transition between a lower loading position and a higher operating position, maintaining consistent orientation, and includes a latching mechanism and a rotatable frame to facilitate easy loading and alignment of new sheet stock material, even in limited spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the supply tray is positioned at a high operating position, then the dunnage conversion machine can operate efficiently, but it becomes difficult for operators to reach and load new sheet stock material
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is made movable between a high operating position and a low loading position through a linkage mechanism. During operation, the tray remains at the high position for efficient dunnage conversion. During loading, the tray moves to the low position allowing operators easy access to load new sheet stock material, thus resolving the contradiction between operational efficiency and loading accessibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the supply tray is positioned at a high operating position, then the machine structure is stable, but the space requirement and operator reachability are compromised in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure transitions from a static high position to a dynamic system that can move between high and low positions. This allows the machine to adapt to confined spaces during loading operations while maintaining structural stability during the conversion process, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism introduces vertical movement capability, adding a dimensional aspect to the tray positioning. The tray can move vertically between high and low positions while maintaining horizontal alignment, enabling the machine to operate in confined spaces without compromising structural stability during conversion.
3Reliability
If a fixed high-positioned supply tray is used, then the machine maintains consistent operation, but loading new stock material requires complex manual alignment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support structure lowers the tray to a convenient loading position where operators can easily align and load new sheet stock material without complex manual alignment procedures. After loading, the tray returns to its high operating position, maintaining operational consistency. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between reliability and loading simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A stock supply assembly for a dunnage conversion machine includes a stock material support having a support structure, such as a shelf for a stack of fan-folded sheet stock material. The shelf is movable between a relatively lower loading position and a relatively higher operating position vertically displaced relative to the loading position. In the process, the support structure maintains a consistent orientation as the support structure moves between the loading position and the operating position.