Rotating Conveyor for Heat Exchanger Fin Conveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional manufacturing apparatuses for heat exchanger fins face limitations in high-speed conveying due to noise generation and potential damage from hitch feeding mechanisms, which also occupy excessive space, hindering miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with rotating conveyors having tapered protrusions that advance into through-holes or cutaway portions, synchronized by servo motors, eliminates the need for reciprocal motion and power transmission mechanisms, allowing for high-speed, stable, and precise conveying while preventing deformation and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a hitch feeding mechanism is used to convey the metal strip, then the metal strip can be conveyed intermittently, but high-speed conveying is limited due to noise generation and potential component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying mechanism is divided into multiple rotating conveyors (first rotating conveyor, second rotating conveyor, third rotating conveyor) that independently rotate to convey the metal strip. Each conveyor has multiple conveying portions that can be inserted into through-holes of the metal strip, distributing the conveying function across multiple segments rather than using a single hitch feeding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a reciprocating hitch feeding mechanism that moves back and forth, the invention uses rotating conveyors that continuously rotate in one direction. The conveying action is inverted from linear reciprocation to rotational motion, eliminating the need for forward-and-reverse movements that cause noise and component damage.
2Speed
If a hitch feeding mechanism with cam and link mechanisms is used, then the metal strip can be conveyed, but the apparatus occupies excessive space, hindering miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention arranges the rotating conveyors in a vertical stacking configuration along the conveying direction. The first, second, and third rotating conveyors are positioned at different heights, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint of the apparatus. This dimensional reorganization allows for compact apparatus design while maintaining high-speed conveying capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rotating conveyor serves multiple functions: conveying the metal strip, supporting its weight, and positioning it for the next processing stage. The rotating conveyors replace multiple separate mechanisms (hitch feeding, support, positioning) with a single multi-functional component, reducing the overall apparatus size.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tapered protrusions are used on rotating conveyors, then the protrusions can advance into through-holes for stable conveying, but the complexity of the conveying units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying portions are designed with tapered (curved) surfaces that gradually advance into the through-holes of the metal strip. This curved geometry allows for smooth insertion and withdrawal of the conveying portions, reducing mechanical complexity while ensuring stable conveying. The tapered shape eliminates the need for complex locking or retention mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for conveying a molded body for heat exchanger fins is capable of realizing high-speed conveying of the molded body for heat exchanger fins, of preventing the generation of noise during conveying, and of miniaturization. As a solution, an apparatus for conveying a molded body for heat exchanger fins has a plurality of conveying units, which each include a rotating conveyor driving unit and a rotating conveyor with a rotating shaft and rotating discs on which a plurality of protrusions that advance into the tube insertion portions of a heat exchanger fin are formed, disposed along a conveying direction of the metal strip, has a drive belt suspended between the rotating shafts of adjacent conveying units, and has an operation control unit that synchronizes rotational driving operations of the rotating shafts of the respective rotating conveyor driving units.