Pivotable Vacuum Segment for Slip-Free Blank Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring blanks in material webs, such as MEA components, suffer from slippage and positional inaccuracies due to force imbalances during the transfer from one vacuum cylinder to another, leading to potential damage and elongation of sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pivotable vacuum segment on the vacuum cylinder, controlled by a pivoting drive and a control unit, allows for precise timing and reduction of vacuum force during the transfer process, ensuring a slip-free and gentle transfer of blanks to a vacuum transport cylinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If blanks are transferred from a slower rotating vacuum cylinder to a faster rotating vacuum cylinder to increase distance between blanks, then productivity is improved, but slippage occurs leading to positional inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum segment is made pivotable rather than fixed, allowing the vacuum application area to dynamically adjust during the transfer process. The segment rotates to align with the transfer point, creating optimal vacuum conditions that prevent slippage while maintaining the speed differential needed for spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective vacuum area is changed by pivoting the vacuum segment to different angular positions. By adjusting the vacuum segment's orientation, the system optimizes the vacuum force application during transfer, preventing slippage while maintaining productivity gains from speed differential.
2Reliability
If vacuum force is applied during transfer from first cylinder to second cylinder, then blanks are held securely, but forces cause elongation and damage to sensitive blanks
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum application is segmented into different zones along the cylinder surface. The pivotable vacuum segment creates a localized vacuum zone that moves with the transfer point, concentrating vacuum force only where needed rather than applying it across the entire blank surface, thereby reducing overall stress on the blank.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable vacuum segment acts as an intermediary between the stationary vacuum source and the moving blank. By pivoting the segment to follow the transfer motion, it maintains optimal vacuum contact while accommodating the dynamic transfer process, reducing harmful forces on the blank.
3Device complexity
If the vacuum segment is fixed on the vacuum cylinder, then the structure is simple, but the transfer process experiences slippage and positional loss
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum segment transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic pivotable structure. This allows the vacuum application point to move synchronously with the transfer process, maintaining precise positioning control during the transfer from the first to the second cylinder.
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
The solution enables precise, slip-free transfer of blanks with minimal stretching, maintaining accurate positioning and reducing the risk of damage, particularly suitable for sensitive materials like catalyst-coated membranes.
Implementation Method 1
the vacuum cylinders are provided with a porous or perforated surface on their outer surfaces, through which a vacuum is created
Implementation Method 2
the vacuum cylinder has a pivotable vacuum segment that extends over an angular range of the vacuum cylinder for applying negative pressure to its outer surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (100) for transporting and singulating blanks (1010) from a web of material (1000), comprising a vacuum cylinder (8) for transporting the blanks (1010), a vacuum transport cylinder (7) for further transporting the blanks (1010), and a control unit (9). According to the invention, the vacuum cylinder (8) has a pivotable vacuum segment (82), and a pivoting drive (85) is provided for pivoting the vacuum segment during operation. This allows the effective vacuum area on a surface of the vacuum cylinder (8) to be reduced. The invention also relates to a method for transporting and singulating blanks from a web of material. The device and method enable a gentler and more precise transfer of blanks from a vacuum cylinder to a vacuum transport cylinder.