Pushing Device for Objects with Protruding Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

The asymmetry of objects with a protruding edge near one end makes it challenging to pack them efficiently in rows, requiring an alternate orientation to minimize bulk, and existing technologies lack effective solutions for displacing and packaging such objects in a reliable and efficient manner.

Innovation Solution

A pushing device with a guide that accommodates objects oriented in both directions, featuring translatable pushing means that engage the protruding edge to ensure consistent orientation and facilitate displacement along a predetermined direction, allowing for efficient packing and insertion into packages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If objects with protruding edges are packed in rows with alternate orientation to minimize bulk, then space optimization is improved, but the complexity of displacing and orienting the objects increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal bulkVSAvoiddisplacement mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide is divided into multiple guide sections, each capable of housing objects in specific orientations. This segmentation allows the system to manage alternate orientation objects systematically, reducing the complexity of the overall displacement mechanism while achieving space optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide acts as an intermediary structure between the object supply and packaging destinations. It mediates the orientation and displacement of objects with protruding edges, enabling alternate orientation packing without requiring complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If pushing means are designed to engage protruding edges for consistent orientation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation consistencyVSAvoidpushing means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pushing means are designed with specific local features that engage only with the protruding edges of objects. This localized engagement ensures consistent orientation without requiring complex overall pushing mechanisms, as the interaction is simplified at the contact point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to control the entire object for orientation, the pushing means engage with the protruding edge feature and use it as the control point. This inverted approach—using the object's asymmetric feature as the engagement point rather than trying to impose orientation—simplifies the pushing mechanism while achieving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a guide structure is designed to accommodate objects in multiple orientations, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation accommodationVSAvoidguide structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide structure is designed with universal features that can accommodate objects in multiple orientations within the same guide section. Each guide section can handle both first-end-up and second-end-up orientations, eliminating the need for separate guides for different orientations and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3359451B1Pushing device
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 ICA SPA
  • EP3359451B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3359451B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3359451B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention describes a pushing device (100) for displacing a predetermined number (N) of objects (C) comprising a first end (C1), a second end (C2) and a protruding edge (B) arranged in proximity of the first end (C1) and arranged in an alternate manner in one or more single file rows (F1, F2, F3) along a first predetermined displacement direction (D1), comprising: at least a first guide (101) for the sliding of the objects (C) along the first predetermined displacement direction (D1), the first guide (101) comprising housings (101a, 101b, 101c, 101d) for housing the protruding edge (B) of the objects (C) during the displacement; pushing means (201) translatable along a first translation direction (T1) so as to be approached to the objects (C) when the objects (C) are housed in the first guide (101) so as to touch at least one of the objects (C) and so as to also be able to be distanced from the objects (C), the pushing means (201) being further translatable along the first predetermined displacement direction (D1) so as to be able to push the objects (C) along the first predetermined displacement direction (D1).