Plate Member Reversing System with Suction Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plate member reversing devices are unsuitable for high-speed operations as they can damage the plate member due to centrifugal forces and may damage the process-treated surface during reversal, making them unfit for process treatment equipment.
Innovation Solution
A plate member reversing system that uses a suction pad to hold the plate member and a reversing shaft to rotate it, allowing for high-speed reversal without damaging the upper surface, and includes a control device to overlap transfer and reversing operations to minimize downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the plate member is simply supported by abutment in the plate member holding frame, then the structure is simple, but the plate member moves within the frame and is pressed outward by centrifugal force during high-speed reversal, causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical abutment support system with a suction-based holding system. The suction holding unit uses vacuum suction to hold the plate member, eliminating the need for physical contact and abutment structures. This substitution prevents mechanical damage while maintaining simplicity, allowing high-speed reversal without centrifugal force-induced damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles through the suction holding unit that uses vacuum suction to hold the plate member. This pneumatic approach replaces mechanical contact with pressure differential-based holding, enabling damage-free high-speed reversal by eliminating centrifugal force effects on the plate member.
2Reliability
If both surfaces of the plate member are held by fixing and movable members during reversal, then the plate member is securely held, but the process-treated obverse surface may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the holding function from dual-surface contact and concentrates it on the reverse surface only. The suction holding unit holds only the reverse surface of the plate member, leaving the obverse (process-treated) surface exposed and untouched. This extraction of the holding function to a single surface eliminates the risk of damaging the treated obverse surface while maintaining secure holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction holding unit acts as an intermediary that holds the plate member without direct mechanical contact with the obverse surface. By using vacuum suction as the holding mechanism, it provides secure holding while preventing damage to the process-treated surface, serving as a non-contact intermediary between the holding requirement and the surface protection requirement.
3Device complexity
If the plate member is reversed using traditional abutment support, then the device structure is simple, but the reversal speed is limited to prevent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical abutment support system with a suction-based holding system that enables high-speed operation. The suction holding unit maintains secure holding during rapid rotation without the centrifugal force limitations of mechanical contact systems, allowing reversal speeds of 180 degrees or more per second while keeping the structure relatively simple.
4Measurement precision
If sequential transfer and reversal operations are performed separately, then each operation can be completed accurately, but the total time required is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transfer operation and reversal operation into a single integrated process. The upstream-side transfer/placing robot transfers the plate member to the reversing device, and the reversing device immediately performs reversal without stopping. This merging of operations eliminates idle time between transfer and reversal while maintaining the accuracy of both operations, reducing total cycle time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by eliminating stops between transfer and reversal operations. The plate member is transferred to the reversing device and immediately reversed without interruption, maintaining continuous motion and productive action throughout the process. This continuity reduces operational downtime while preserving the precision of each operation through proper sequencing and control.
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
Enables high-speed and accurate reversal of plate members without damaging the upper surface, reducing the time required for the process and improving the efficiency of the reversing and transfer operations.
Implementation Method 1
a suction pad (73) for suctioning a lower surface of the placed plate member (12), thereby holding the plate member (12)
Data Source
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AI summary
A plate member reversing system adapted for sequentially reversing and transferring a plurality of plate members, comprises a second delta robot (60), a reversing device (61) and a second transfer device (62). The second delta robot (60) is configured such that it sequentially holds the plate members (12) and transfers and places them onto the reversing device (61). The reversing device (61), onto which the plate member (12) is transferred and placed in a horizontal position by the second delta robot (60), is configured such that, while the transferred and placed plate member (12) is being held by application of suction with its upper surface in an open state, it reverses the upper and the lower surfaces of the plate member (12). In addition, the second transfer device (62) receives the reversed plate member (12) from the reversing device (61) and transfers it in a reversed state and in a horizontal position.