Pivotable Transfer Arm for Coating Material Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coating material storage and supply systems in furniture and component production face inefficiencies, leading to downtime and incorrect loading, particularly when handling narrow surface coating materials, due to complex manual processes and long transport routes.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a pivotable transfer arm with a transport mechanism, such as conveyor rollers, simplifies the transfer of coating materials by guiding them along a channel, allowing for flexible and redundant charging, cutting materials to specific lengths, and enabling continuous operation with reduced waste and setup times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual processes are used for storing and supplying coating material, then flexibility in handling different materials is maintained, but downtime increases and incorrect loading occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The supply device automatically performs material storage, retrieval, and transport functions without manual intervention. The system self-regulates the coating material supply process, eliminating the need for operators to manually change materials and reducing downtime while preventing incorrect loading through automated identification and handling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system featuring motorized transport units, automated storage units, and controlled transfer mechanisms. This substitution eliminates human error in material handling and enables continuous operation through automated sequencing of material supply tasks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex manual processes are used for material handling, then adaptability to different coating materials is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supply device is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple types of coating materials through standardized storage units and transport mechanisms. The system incorporates multi-functional capabilities including automated storage, retrieval, trimming, and transport, all controlled by a centralized control unit that adapts to different material types without requiring complex manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adaptability through programmable parameters in the control unit that can be adjusted for different coating material types, lengths, and specifications. Rather than requiring physically complex reconfiguration, the system changes operational parameters digitally, simplifying the physical structure while maintaining versatility.
3Quantity of substance
If long transport routes are used for coating material, then storage capacity is increased, but waste material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the coating material supply into discrete, manageable units stored in individual storage units. Each transport unit carries specific material segments from storage to the coating machine, enabling precise delivery and minimizing excess material transport. The trimming unit further segments material to exact lengths required, reducing waste from over-transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate transport units that act as mediators between bulk storage and the coating machine. These transport units hold smaller quantities of material closer to the coating machine, reducing the need for long transport routes and minimizing waste material while maintaining adequate storage capacity through the network of storage units.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple storage units are used for coating material, then material variety is increased, but incorrect loading occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit incorporates feedback mechanisms that track the location, type, and status of coating materials in each storage unit. The system receives feedback from sensors and system status to verify correct material loading, automatically detecting and preventing incorrect loading scenarios while maintaining the ability to store and manage a wide variety of coating materials.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution minimizes downtime, avoids incorrect loading, and ensures flexible production with short transport routes, allowing for efficient and continuous operation of coating machines by simplifying the structure and enabling quick exchange of transport units.
Implementation Method 1
The transfer arm has a transport mechanism, in particular one or more conveyor rollers, for moving the coating material
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a supply device for coating material, comprising: at least one transfer station (30) for receiving a transport unit (100), which transport unit has receptacles for material storage units (M) for receiving coating material, a transfer arm (50) comprising a guide for a coating material, wherein the transfer arm (50) is movable between the receptacles for material storage units (M) of the transport unit (100).