Pivotable Guide Element for Flexible Object Transport

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for transporting flat, flexible objects along a transport path, such as in large-format printers, face challenges in accurately guiding objects of different thicknesses and materials, as right-angled guide elements can cause thin materials to lift and thicker materials to jam.

Innovation Solution

A pivotable guide element with side surfaces arranged at an angle less than 90 degrees, adjustable to accommodate varying object thicknesses and materials, allowing optimal alignment and preventing jamming or lifting, with a pivot axis parallel to the transport path for compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a right-angled guide element is used to guide flat, flexible objects, then lateral alignment is achieved, but thin materials are pulled upwards on the outer side causing misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral alignment accuracyVSAvoidpositioning accuracy for thin materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is made pivotable relative to the transport path about an axis, allowing its orientation to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the guide element to adapt its angle depending on the thickness and material properties of the objects being transported, resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient lateral guidance for thin materials without causing them to lift, and providing adequate clearance for thicker materials without jamming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the guide element is designed with an angle less than 90 degrees to prevent upward migration of thin objects, then thin materials are guided properly, but thicker objects become jammed within the guide element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguidance reliability for thin materialsVSAvoidcompatibility with objects of different thicknesses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable design allows the guide element to change its angle dynamically. For thin materials, it can be positioned at an acute angle to prevent upward migration while still allowing passage. For thicker materials, it can be adjusted to a larger angle or perpendicular position to provide sufficient clearance, thus resolving the contradiction between preventing thin material lift and avoiding jamming of thick materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The orientation parameter of the guide element is made variable through the pivotable mechanism. By changing the angle parameter of the guide element relative to the transport path, the system can optimize performance for different object thicknesses, transitioning from a fixed acute angle design to an adjustable angle system that adapts to various material specifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed guide element orientation is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate objects of different thicknesses and materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide element structureVSAvoidcompatibility with varying object specifications

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is made pivotable relative to the transport path about an axis, allowing its orientation to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the guide element to adapt its angle depending on the thickness and material properties of the objects being transported, resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient lateral guidance for thin materials without causing them to lift, and providing adequate clearance for thicker materials without jamming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3438026B1Device for transporting flat, flexible objects along a transport path

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 BDT MEDIA AUTOMATION

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AI summary

Device (10) for transporting flat, flexible objects (50, 52) along a transport path (12) with a transport path (12) and at least one guide element (20) arranged laterally on the transport path (12) with two side surfaces (21, 22) arranged at an angle (α) to each other, wherein the guide element (20) is arranged pivotably about an axis (30) relative to the transport path (12).