Rotating Spring Transfer Wheel with Compression Chute

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Solution Overview

Problem

The rate at which coil springs can be inserted into positions between plies of pocketing material for the manufacture of pocketed- or encased-spring units has not kept pace with the increased rate of spring formation.

Innovation Solution

A transfer apparatus comprising a rotating transfer wheel with spokes and spring receiving portions, flanked by containment members, which allows for continuous transfer of springs from a spring forming station to positions between plies of pocketing material, enabling faster insertion without stopping the wheel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a traditional transfer apparatus is used to insert springs into pocketing material, then the spring insertion process can be completed, but the wheel must stop during loading and insertion operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring transfer rateVSAvoidwheel stopping time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer wheel continues to rotate throughout the entire spring transfer process without stopping. The spring receiving portions continuously move from the spring forming station to the pocketing station, eliminating idle time and maintaining productive action throughout the cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Springs are loaded onto the transfer wheel in advance while it is rotating, and the spring receiving portions are positioned ahead of time to receive springs directly at the destination point, eliminating the need to stop for loading or positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the transfer wheel rotates continuously without stopping, then the transfer rate increases, but the spring loading and insertion operations become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespring transfer rateVSAvoidtransfer apparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer wheel is divided into multiple discrete spring receiving portions spaced around the circumference. Each portion is an independent unit that can be loaded and unloaded separately, allowing continuous rotation with multiple springs being transferred in different phases of the rotation cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer wheel acts as an intermediary carrier between the spring forming station and the pocketing station. It receives springs from one station and delivers them to another station continuously, decoupling the operations at each station and allowing both to operate at full speed independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250162858A1Spring handling apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 HS PROD LTD

AI summary

Spring transfer apparatus comprises a wheel (200), having a hub (210) and a plurality of spokes (220) extending radially therefrom and arranged to receive between them individual coil springs S produced in a coiling head, represented at (220) via a pair of rotating transfer brushes (230). In use, the wheel is driven to rotate in the direction of Arrows A1. At their distal ends, the spokes pass through a slotted compression chute (240) and the springs S located between the spokes become compressed during their passage through the chute. When the springs reach the lowermost point in the rotation, at which they are maximally compressed, the springs are pushed axially with respect to the hub (210) towards pre-prepared webs W of pocketing material that have been joined together at locations L to form pockets P for receiving the springs and which are travelling in the direction of Arrow A2.