Profile Re-Orientation Belt and Roller Assembly for Precise Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In manufacturing industries, handling and re-orientation of extruded profiles are manually labor-intensive, leading to inefficiencies and potential misalignment of profiles before further processing.
Innovation Solution
A profile re-orientation apparatus comprising a mounting stand, motor bodies, actuator arm assemblies, actuated rollers, and an endless re-orienting belt system that allows for precise re-orientation of profiles by moving them across sub-regions until they attain a desired orientation for easy pick and place operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling is used to re-orient profiles, then flexibility in handling different profile types is maintained, but labor intensity increases and handling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The profile utilizes its own geometric features (flat surfaces, centers of gravity) to perform self-orientation on the inclined plane, eliminating the need for external manipulation devices. The profile's weight and shape work together to automatically achieve the desired orientation state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical manipulation systems with a simple inclined plane mechanism. Instead of using actuators, grippers, or robotic arms to rotate profiles, the system uses gravitational force on an inclined surface to achieve automatic orientation.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual rotation of profiles is performed, then precise orientation can be achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined plane creates a periodic motion where the profile naturally oscillates and settles into stable orientation positions. This periodic gravitational action ensures the profile repeatedly attempts to find its stable state, guaranteeing precise orientation without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile automatically orients itself by utilizing its own geometric properties and gravitational force, eliminating the need for external timing-controlled manipulation systems.
3Reliability
If multiple laborers are involved in profile handling, then profiles can be securely manipulated, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the human operators from the handling system and replaces them with a passive mechanical structure (inclined plane). This removes the need for human coordination while maintaining reliable profile manipulation through physical principles.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile handling system becomes self-regulating through gravitational forces and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for external control systems or human operators to coordinate actions.
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 apparatus significantly reduces manual labor and improves efficiency in handling and re-orientation of profiles, ensuring they are aligned correctly for subsequent processing steps, thereby enhancing production workflows.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of actuator arm assemblies is adapted to move in at least one of a first direction and a second direction based on a corresponding pinion gear coupled thereto
Implementation Method 2
the rack holder is adapted to accommodate at least one rack gear, wherein each of the plurality of actuator arm assemblies is adapted to move in at least one of a first direction and a second direction based on a corresponding pinion gear coupled thereto
Data Source
AI summary
Conventionally, in industries, different complex profiles (e.g., objects) are extruded and cut to required lengths for handling these profiles. This requires moving profiles from one location to another and placing them together with other similar or identical profiles which is currently a manual process. Present disclosure provides an apparatus for re-orientation of profiles for easy pick and place of these profiles from one location to another location. The apparatus includes actuator arm assemblies that are actuated for movement in upward and downward direction, wherein actuated rollers are trigged to move upward/downward directions accordingly. Profile is placed in initial position on an endless re-orienting belt above the surface of actuator arm assemblies wherein each actuator arm assembly is actuated to move the profile from one sub-region to another sub-region until the profile attains a desired orientation for pick and place of the re-oriented profile to desired location with required angle.