Rotor Pick-Up Member Orientation Control for Discrete Element Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging machines for hygienic absorbent articles face challenges in increasing productivity and flexibility due to the need for precise deposition of discrete elements on continuous webs with varying pitches and orientations, as existing systems lack the ability to adapt to different types and shapes of sanitary absorbent articles.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a rotor with pick-up members that can accelerate or decelerate and change orientation, allowing for the precise placement of discrete elements on a support element, with control mechanisms to adjust the distance and orientation of pick-up members, enabling flexible deposition pitches and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed deposition system is used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different pitches and orientations is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up members are made movable along the rotation direction and rotatable about a second axis, transforming a static deposition system into a dynamic one. This allows the system to adapt to different pitches and orientations by adjusting the position and orientation of pick-up members during operation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deposition system is divided into multiple independent pick-up members arranged circumferentially on the rotor. Each pick-up member can be independently positioned and oriented, allowing flexible configuration of discrete elements with different pitches and orientations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If discrete elements are deposited with varying pitches and orientations, then the flexibility increases, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a rotational system where pick-up members are arranged circumferentially on a rotor. The desired pitch and orientation variations are achieved through the rotational motion and controlled movement of pick-up members along the rotation direction, simplifying the control of deposition precision while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The deposition process utilizes periodic rotational motion of the rotor to deposit elements at different positions and orientations. The pick-up members undergo periodic acceleration and deceleration during rotation, enabling precise control of deposition timing and position while maintaining flexibility in pitch and orientation variations.
3Productivity
If pick-up members are moved with accelerated motion, then the productivity increases, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pick-up members are designed to move along the rotation direction with variable speed (accelerated and decelerated motion) while maintaining rotational movement. This dynamic motion capability allows the system to increase productivity by optimizing deposition speed while the controlled acceleration and deceleration phases ensure precise positioning, managing the complexity through structured motion patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for depositing discrete elements on a support element. The discrete elements may be separated from each other or joined to form a continuous web. The discrete elements are fed into a pick-up station defined at a rotor which includes circumferentially adjacent pick-up members. Each discrete element is associated with a respective pick-up member having a first orientation with respect to a respective second axis of rotation. Each pick-up member is moved along the rotation direction towards a release position downstream with an at least partially accelerated or decelerated motion. Each pick-up member is rotated about the respective second axis of rotation until it takes, at the release position, a second orientation. Each discrete element is released on a support element at the release position. Each pick-up member is subsequently moved towards the pick-up station with an at least partially decelerated or accelerated motion.