Dispensing device with rotating tray discharge with stack weight relief
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices struggle to handle trays of varying stack heights, often lifting two trays instead of one, leading to uneven stress distribution and potential tray slippage due to low immersing depth and stability issues.
Innovation Solution
The dispensing device employs cylindrical lifting elements with a comb structure featuring multiple parallel immersing protrusions that extend over a significant arc length, allowing for distributed weight handling and smooth lifting and lowering of tray stacks, even with low immersing depths, and includes screw-shaped and horizontal portions for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single immersing protrusion is used to lift trays, then the structure is simple, but the stack may slip through due to low immersing depth and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting element is segmented into multiple immersing protrusions (at least two, preferably three or four) arranged circumferentially. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed across multiple contact points, preventing the stack from slipping through while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-point immersion to a multi-point circumferential immersion. By distributing protrusions around the circumference of the lifting element, the system adds a dimensional aspect (circumferential distribution) that enhances stability without significantly increasing complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple immersing protrusions are used to distribute load, then stack stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple immersing protrusions are merged into a single integrated lifting element that rotates as one unit. This combining approach provides the load distribution benefits of multiple contact points while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate lifting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting element with multiple protrusions serves multiple functions simultaneously: it lifts the stack, distributes the load, prevents slippage, and maintains tray alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, offsetting the increased structural complexity with functional consolidation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the immersing depth is reduced to less than 2 mm, then the tray edges are less damaged, but the trays may fold and slip through the lifting element
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting contact is segmented into multiple protrusions that collectively provide sufficient support despite each individual protrusion having minimal immersion depth. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both low damage and high stability through distributed contact points.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing device that comprises vertical guidings for receiving a stack of a plurality of trays, a separating device for dispensing individual trays in a downward direction and a tray discharge device that has multiple rotating lifting elements. The dispensing device includes lifting elements that are formed cylindrically and have a comb structure with at least two immersing protrusions that extend in parallel to one another.