Retractable Winding Pins for Automatic Cushioning Material Coiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coiler devices require manual operation to release coiled cushioning material and pose safety risks due to rotating winding pins before the material is fully wound, necessitating additional safety measures and complex mechanisms for automatic operation.
Innovation Solution
A coiler device with retractable and bendable winding pins, a rotating working plate, and a driving mechanism that allows for automatic winding and release of the coiled material, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing safety hazards through controlled pin movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used to release coiled cushioning material, then the coiler device structure can be simpler, but the productivity is reduced due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The winding pins are designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing them to extend during winding and retract during release. This dynamic feature enables automatic operation while maintaining a compact structure when pins are retracted, resolving the contradiction between automation and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The coiler device performs both winding and release operations automatically without manual intervention. The system uses the motor's rotation in reverse to automatically release the coiled material when pins retract, making the device self-sufficient and eliminating the need for manual operation
2Productivity
If winding pins rotate before material is fully wound, then the winding operation can start earlier, but safety risks increase due to exposed rotating pins
Solution Approach 1:
The winding pins extend only when needed for winding and retract when not in use, eliminating the safety hazard of continuously exposed rotating pins. The pins are dynamically positioned to be exposed only during the actual winding operation, not before material is fully wound
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable pin mechanism acts as an intermediary between the motor and the cushioning material. The pins are only exposed when material is present to be wound, providing a safety buffer that prevents direct contact between rotating components and operators during idle periods
3Object-affected harmful factors
If external safety cages or high-end monitoring devices are added, then safety risks are reduced, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable pin design converts the potential harm of exposed rotating pins into a safety feature. By making pins retractable, the design eliminates the need for external safety cages while actually improving safety through inherent mechanical design rather than added protective barriers
Solution Approach 2:
The dangerous rotating pin components are extracted from the continuous rotation state and isolated in a retracted position during idle periods. This separation of the hazardous element from its operational state eliminates the need for external safety monitoring systems
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 automatic winding and release of coiled cushioning material without manual operation, reducing manufacturing costs by 40-50% and eliminating the need for external safety cages or high-end monitoring devices, while allowing for versatile positioning and efficient packaging solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The at least two winding pins are disposed through the at least two holes and protruding out of the working surface respectively when winding the strip
Implementation Method 2
The at least two winding pins are retractable from the working plate through the at least two holes respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A coiler device for winding a strip of cushioning material into a coil is disclosed. The coiler device includes a working plate, at least two winding pins and a driving mechanism. The working plate has a working surface, a rotation axis and at least two holes away from the rotation axis. The at least two winding pins are disposed through the at least two holes and protruding out of the working surface respectively when winding the strip. The driving mechanism is configured to rotate the working plate, wherein the at least two winding pins are retractable from the working plate through the at least two holes respectively.