Product Feeding Device Forward Positioning Inversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for feeding products in industrial applications, such as toilet paper production, often result in backward movements of products along the feeding path, which can damage and overturn rolls, due to reliance on photocell detection and backward positioning for accurate placement.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize detection sensors to accurately position products relative to a reference point, allowing for forward movement and adjustment of product placement to minimize backward movements, using a combination of detection and movement sensors to ensure precise alignment and reduce positional errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If backward movement is used to position products relative to the photocell, then positioning accuracy is improved, but product damage and overturning occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidproduct damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving products backward to position them relative to the photocell, the invention inverts the approach by moving the photocell forward to meet the products. This eliminates the harmful backward movement of products while achieving the same positioning accuracy, as the photocell traverses the feeding path to detect product positions at multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary approach where the photocell acts as a mobile detection station that moves through the feeding path rather than requiring products to move backward. This intermediary motion of the detection device itself resolves the contradiction by achieving positioning without subjecting products to damaging backward movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If backward movement is used to adjust product position, then positioning precision is improved, but product flow uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidproduct flow uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the traditional approach by having the photocell move forward through the feeding path rather than having products move backward. This maintains positioning precision through multiple detection points while preserving product flow uniformity, as products continue to move forward in a consistent sequence without disruptive backward adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If photocell detection is used for product positioning, then positioning accuracy is improved, but backward movement is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional setup by making the photocell mobile rather than stationary. The photocell traverses the feeding path to detect product positions, eliminating the need for complex backward movement mechanisms while maintaining positioning accuracy through multiple detection locations along the path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 approach significantly reduces the need for backward movements, minimizing product damage and ensuring a more uniform product flow with reduced risk of overturning, by using detection sensors to adjust the launch position of subsequent products based on real-time positioning data.

Implementation Method 1

detecting, with the detection sensor, a position of a leading edge of the leading product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodetection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9517893B2Method and device for feeding products to a processing station

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 FABIO PERINI SPA

AI summary

A device for launching products into a feeding path, including a launcher; a detection sensor to detect the passage of products launched by the launcher; a launcher central control unit; conveyors to move forward the products in the feeding path, associated with a drive member; and at least one movement sensor to detect the position of the products moved by the conveyors. The central control unit is programmed to control the start position taken by each group of products, downstream of the detection sensor, and to impose on each group of products a forward movement according to the length of the group of products and to an adjustment factor determined by the error, if any, between the detected start position and a desired start position.